Interpreting a Living Conservation Project: HMS Victory

We were proud to collaborate with the National Museum of the Royal Navy on Victory Live: The Big Repair - an ambitious conservation project dedicated to safeguarding HMS Victory for future generations.

As exhibition designers, the challenge was unique: how do you interpret the work of conservation as it happens around visitors? Rather than retelling the ship’s history, our role was to reveal the people, skills and processes involved in caring for HMS Victory today.

Working within a live conservation environment meant creating interpretation that could sit alongside the daily work of shipwrights and conservators without disrupting it. Accessibility and clarity were central to our approach. We developed a series of tactile models that allow visitors to physically explore the structure of the ship and understand complex conservation techniques through touch. These hands-on elements help open up specialist knowledge to a wider audience and create a more inclusive experience.

We also introduced a new object display showcasing items uncovered during previous conservation campaigns - everyday traces of the people who have cared for the ship over time. From practical materials to personal remnants, these objects offer a human perspective on the ongoing cycle of care and maintenance.

To deepen engagement further, we designed interactive AV experiences that share the expertise, decision-making and craftsmanship behind the project. Through digital interpretation, visitors gain insight into the skills and challenges involved in preserving a national icon.

The Big Repair is not about restoration, but conservation. Our role has been to make sure this work is visible, understandable and engaging - transforming the behind-the-scenes work of conservation into a compelling public experience.