Simon Leach Design was appointed to develop the exhibition design for two interconnected exhibitions presented as part of the Sainsbury Centre's Spring 2026 season: Living by the Rule: Contemporary meets Medieval and Play Power.

Sainsbury Centre, Norwich, 2026. Temporary exhibitions. Photography by Simon Leach.

The exhibitions explore fundamental questions about how humans organise their lives, examining the structures, rituals and forms of play that shape societies across time. While distinct in tone and content, the two exhibitions were conceived as complementary experiences, encouraging visitors to move between contemplation and experimentation, discipline and imagination.

For Living by the Rule, our design approach centred on creating a dialogue between medieval and contemporary works. Drawing inspiration from monastic architecture and the rhythms of communal life, the gallery uses a restrained material palette, carefully framed sightlines and moments of pause to establish visual and conceptual connections between objects separated by centuries. Medieval treasures, including illuminated manuscripts and architectural fragments, are presented alongside works by artists such as Andrea Büttner, Tacita Dean and Danh Vo, encouraging visitors to reflect on continuity, labour, devotion and collective living.

In contrast, Play Power adopts a more playful and dynamic spatial language. Brightly coloured architectural elements, unexpected juxtapositions and varied display typologies create a sense of curiosity and discovery. Historical artefacts, artworks, toys and games are brought together within an environment that celebrates play as a force for creativity, learning and social exchange. Works including Germaine Richier's Chessboard, Patrick Rylands' Bird and Fish, Enzo Mari's toys and Eamon O'Kane's immersive installation contribute to a rich exploration of play across cultures and generations.

Across both exhibitions, interpretation is integrated within the architecture to maintain visual clarity while supporting deeper engagement. Display furniture, graphics, digital media and seating were designed as a cohesive family of elements that guide visitors through the galleries without privileging any single period or discipline. The resulting experience invites visitors to encounter medieval and contemporary art, historical artefacts and playful interventions as part of a shared conversation about the ways humans live, learn, create and imagine.