RSHP wins the redesign of the Bayeux Tapestry Museum

We are delighted to have been announced as the winning team to redesign the Bayeux Tapestry Museum in Normandy, France. Following jury deliberations at the beginning of May in an anonymized competition, RSHP’s concept was unanimously chosen from amongst four other shortlisted firms.

The Bayeux Tapestry, registered on UNESCO’s Memory of the World list, covers the epic story of the conquest of England by William, Duke of Normandy in the 1066 Battle of Hastings, told in a 70 meters long embroidery in wool thread on linen cloth.

RSHP was ranked first by the jury for the quality of its architectural response to the site’s heritage, understanding of the building and existing public realm, and adherence to the budget.

Patrick Gomont, Mayor of Bayeux said: "We are delighted to have reached another important milestone for the project of the future Bayeux Tapestry Museum. The skills of RSHP have led it to carry out large-scale architectural projects such as the extension of the British Museum, the European Court of Human Rights and recently the Louvre Liévin Conservation Centre. All these beautiful references reassure us for the work on the project of our museum, certainly the most complex and ambitious ever carried out by the City of Bayeux (35 million euros)"

Stephen Barrett, Partner, RSHP said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have been selected. It’s both a privilege, and a responsibility, to have been offered the opportunity to design the museum that will house this unique, fragile, emblematic object. As a British practice with a long history of working in France, there’s poetry in being able to contribute to a project that symbolizes the deep connections between our two countries, renewing these bonds and helping the next generations in their rediscovery of the tapestry, itself a unique embodiment of this shared past.”

Loïc Jamin, Head of Museums, Tourism and Heritage, Bayeux Museum said: "At the end of the vote, the revelation of the identity of the candidate was a nice surprise for us and the choice of a British architect is quite a symbol. We will indeed work together to highlight a universal work, emblematic of a history shared by the Normans and the English,"

Theo Pagnon, Associate, RSHP said: “We are approaching the redevelopment of the Museum with great excitement and passion. This project aims to enhance the legacy of the Bayeux Tapestry and to promote the institution. It is also an exceptional opportunity for our British architectural practice to begin a new chapter in an already prolific and valuable relationship between Normandy and England”.

The Tapestry Museum is now entering the negotiation phase with the City for the award of the contract. At the end of the summer, RSHP’s winning concepts will be unveiled to the public in the dedicated information space located on site at the medieval chapel of the Grand Séminaire.

The design team includes:
Lead architect:   RSHP 
Heritage architect:   Lympia
Landscape architect:   Bassinet Turquin Paysage
Museography/Conservation:   FL&Co
Exhibition design, graphics, and signage:   Atelier Brückner
Multimedia and audiovisual design:   Create 
Lighting design:   Reflet 
Structural, mechanical and electrical engineering: Ingérop 
Cost consultants:    VPEAS 
Acoustics:   Kahle acoustics