The National Gallery’s Portico Shop reopens its doors after a three-month refurbishment, revealing an entirely new design by Lumsden, the award-winning firm specialising in retail and F&B for cultural and visitor attractions. Located in London’s Trafalgar Square, the National Gallery houses the nation’s collection of paintings in the Western European tradition from the late 13th to the early 20th centuries.
The 194 sq.m redesigned shop now serves as an integral part of the National Gallery experience, engaging and inspiring visitors with its multi-sensory, three-dimensional design that draws influences from the Gallery’s art, architecture, conservation techniques, and materials.
Oversized illuminated panels, acting as beacons, guide visitors through the three entrances to the Portico shop. Each panel captures close-ups of famous paintings, allowing visitors to examine the techniques, brush strokes, pigments, and canvases of the reproduced art, deepening their engagement and appreciation of each artist.
During the design process, Lumsden found inspiration in the conservation work carried out at the National Gallery. The shop walls’ dark inky hue was inspired by the Conservation Department, providing a perfect backdrop for conservators to protect and preserve original paintings and materials. Antique frames from the Gallery’s Frame Department, restored using time-honoured techniques, also feature in the new design.
Rina Keane, Senior Designer leading the project for Lumsden, says, “Part of our design response was to surprise visitors with more playful, unexpected links to the Gallery’s rich heritage… The final design and palette of the Portico Shop is a true celebration of the Gallery itself.”
Mark Middleton, Head of Retail at National Gallery Global Limited, commented on the new design, stating, “This is truly a space to be proud of and one that is befitting a national institution such as the National Gallery… The utilisation of bold interventions, clear mapping of the visitor routes through the space and the playful use of AV have not only enhanced the link between the retail space and the wider Gallery but have helped to create a more immersive and coherent shopping environment.”
To address the windowless nature of the centrally located Portico Shop, Lumsden designed four 3.5m high lightbox panels and a back wall illumination to bring a sense of light and brightness to the room. These panels also help define zones, with the ability to rotate and create different layouts for seasonal offerings or specific exhibitions. The central spine of the shop celebrates temporary exhibitions and provides cross-merchandising opportunities.
The back wall features a large-scale book fixture, visible from all entrances, with a recessed seating nook upholstered with Gainsborough Flamestich fabric. An illuminated 3.6m digital panel displays a beautiful animation inspired by the Bosschaert painting, A Still Life of Flowers in a Wan-Li Vase, which draws people to the rear of the store.
James Dwyer, Creative Director of Lumsden, concludes, “The new Portico Shop is a celebration of our Nation’s collection of great art, and also the iconic architecture of the Gallery that surrounds it… We are very proud of our collaboration with the National Gallery team, our hope is that this is the start of an exciting future for National Gallery Global.”
The Portico Shop’s reopening coincides with the National Gallery’s latest temporary exhibition, After Impressionism: Inventing Modern Art.
