THE ALBAN ARMS St Albans Museum Story Pub.
a design concept by Nicola Smith
THE ALBAN ARMS St Albans Museum Story Pub.
Every object has a history, background and story. The intention of this project is to encourage an atmosphere of community, trade and exchange. To create a memorable experience for its visitors and act as a marketing platform for the Museum. Inspired by the industial past of St Albans and its strong history of marketplace, the aim of the Alban Arms is to revive the tales of the past through word of mouth. The Alban Arms introduces an interactive environment, through face to face conversation with volunteers and tactile experiences with the collections. It is inclusive of all ages and abilities. The exhibition space encourages learning through the social interraction of story telling. Pubs have always been a meeting place where stories are told and gossip exchanged. Within the Victorian era, the public house not only acted as a place to drink ale, it served the comminity by providing community kitchens, laundries and learning environments. St Albans is celebrated for its variety of pubs and the headquarters for CAMRA are located in the City. A Victorian pub, therefore, is a perfect setting for exchanging knowledge and creating a community experience. The Alban Arms encompasses the philanthripic ideology of its Victorian benefactors and creates an exhibition environment that is inclusive, interractive and memorable.
Right: Artwork by Hannah Sessions illustrating the pubs in St Albans.
PUB. n. 1859, slang shortening of public house (see public (adj.)), which originally meant “any building open to the public�
Social Interractions
Word of Mouth and story telling
Environment for all ages.
PLAN
F1 850mm
700mm
S2
127
0mm
1270mm
S1
2000mm
1550mm
1270mm
2000mm R1 Materials and Finishes. Frame: Timber Panels: MDF or plywood painted with decorative effect as shown in visuals Pub Walls: MDF or plywood fInished with chalkboard paint externally and wallpaper internally. Shelves: MDF or plywood Back mirror: refelctive acrylic antique effect.
Materials
MDF
Timber
Mirrored Acrylic
Finishes.
Wallpaper
Chalkboard Paint
1100mm
3000mm
CROSS SECTION
2000mm
BENEFACTORS WALL
Mrs. A. Smith
Miss. K. Jones
Dr. J. Harris
Mr K Edwards
Ms. D. Sherlock
Chalk Board containing instructions for visitors.
REAR ELEVATION R1 Ornate Feather decoration to attract visitors from afar,
Pole to attach waterproof covering to if needed.
Feedback chalk board and post card holders.
Token Bank containing Alban Arms story Tokens.
Chalk Board Story Menu
Victorian Inspired wallpaper on back panel of pub Walls.
FRONT ELEVATION F1
Mirrored acrylicAntique effect
2D Watercolours and portraits displayed on Pub Walls.
Storage/ display boxes containing objects from the collection.
MDF painted with Victorian inspired wood panelling effect.
SIDE ELEVATION S1
Open storage display to show just one item. Keeps users interested whilst waiting to be served.
Graphic interaction: images of monacles, magnifying glasses, binoculars and spyglasses encourage user to explore the collection
SIDE ELEVATION S2
Swing Door to allow volunteer to enter serving area. outside painted with panel effect.
Charlies adventure at the Alban Arms. Charlie is out for the day in St Albans with his Dad and Sister Emma. As they are on their way home, they come across a perculiar box.
WOW Dad! Can we go and see what that is?
They read the blackboard to see what this pub is all about I think Mrs Smith looks nice. Dad lets go and get a treasure!
Emma! Dont forget your token!
Charlie- what can you see through those holes?
I wonder who the people are in those pictures?
Charlire bends down and looks inside the mocacle
Wow! Emma look! Its an egg! They walk around to the front to trade in their token. Take a look at our Story Menu
Do we have enough tokens for a funny one Dad?
The Barmaid presents Chalie with a story box
I wonder whats inside the box?
At one time in St Albans, you wouldnt be able to walk down Victoria Street without smelling straw. We have a rich history of making straw boater hats, just like this one...
Charlie and his family locate Mrs Smith and present her with the story box. A Crowd gathers around the table.
Charlies Dad is invited to try the hat on..
Dont tell Mum about this bit!
Hahahaha! Dad you look silly!
Charlie, what shall we write?
They walk around to the feedback board.
SHARE YOUR STORIES...
Albans t S in e l p o how pe t u ad o D b . a n s u f u y d l l a o t e Mrs Smith straw hats. It was r to tell it a w e t k n a a m c silly! I used to d e k o o l e h and tried it on school. Age 7 ie l r t a a h s C d n ie my fr Take a post card : )
Just not the bit about me wearing it!
Lets take a postcard for Mum, I cant wait to tell her about the straw hat!
Im glad I took a picture on my phone
Thank you for reading. Please contact me should you have any further queries. www.ncsmithdesign.com