Behind the scenes on our development work

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By Horniman Team
Behind the scenes Nature + Love
We have made fantastic progress on all aspects of the Nature + Love project over the past six months. Here are some recent highlights from across the site.

The gallery building

You might have seen the scaffolding that now surrounds the gallery building. Unusually, this is attached to the birdcage scaffolding inside the gallery itself. This is done through pockets cut in the perimeter walls.

Nine tonnes of lead have been removed from the gallery roof, and a temporary roof has been installed while we carry out essential structural works.

The external scaffolding runs 37m along the length of the gallery and up to 21m in height at the horniman. Photograph courtesy of Rooff.
The external scaffolding runs 37m along the length of the gallery and up to 21m in height. Photograph courtesy of Rooff.
The interior birdcage scaffolding fills the gallery building at the Horniman. Photograph courtesy of Rooff.
The interior birdcage scaffolding fills the gallery building. Photograph courtesy of Rooff.

The gallery displays

The presentation of almost every single object that will be in the new gallery has been planned by our collections management, curatorial, workshop, conservation, documentation and exhibitions teams. Careful attention is given to ensuring that the objects are displayed to their best advantage, and help support the narrative themes of the gallery.

Over 600 objects that will be featured in the new displays have been treated by our Conservation Team so far.

This intricate and expert work has included a pamper for our koala, cleaning a large sea sponge, and re-articulating gorilla and chimpanzee skeletons to more natural stances.

Koala taxidermy being treated at the Horniman.
Koala taxidermy being treated at the Horniman
A display layout session at the Horniman’s Study Collection Centre.
A display layout session at the Horniman’s Study Collection Centre

From tiny goldcrest eggs, to the leg bones of the giant extinct moa bird, around 350 objects have now been mounted for display by our workshop team. Each mount is individually made to help best showcase each unique object – a huge undertaking.

Preparation for the layout of objects before they are conserved and mounted.
Preparation for the layout of objects before they are conserved and mounted

We were delighted that in May 2025 Anoxart Ltd won the Museum + Heritage Award for innovation. When the gallery was being emptied, Anoxart used low oxygen chambers as precautionary pest treatment for some of our largest specimens, in particular the Walrus!

The Horniman Walrus being prepared for precautionary pest treatment.
The Horniman Walrus being prepared for precautionary pest treatment. Photograph courtesy of Anoxart Ltd © Richard Pohle

Kusuma Nature Play

Foundations and drainage works for the exciting new play area are complete, along with insulation and waterproofing. You can see the hexagonal cafe floor begin to take shape, and the building itself will be assembled soon.

Groundworks for the new Café within the Old Boating Pond. Photograph courtesy of Blakedown.
Groundworks for the new cafe within the Old Boating Pond. Photograph courtesy of Blakedown.
Groundworks for the new Café within the Old Boating Pond. Photograph courtesy of Blakedown.
Groundworks for the new Café within the Old Boating Pond. Photograph courtesy of Blakedown.

Gardens Nursery and Community Garden

Progress has been swift in the Gardens Nursery area, where new glasshouses and a community garden will modernise our gardening facilities and provide more space for our community activities.

Foundations and drainage are now in place for the new glasshouses. Look out for these being constructed over the next few months.

Image of nursery gardens mid-construction at the horniman.
Foundations are ready for the new glasshouses to be constructed.
Image of nursery gardens mid-construction at the horniman.
The materials for the new glasshouses were delivered in July.

Activity plan

In addition to the impressive construction work on-site, we are continuing to deliver on our ambitious activity plan.

This is our programme of consultation, co-production and testing with a range of schools, community groups and advisory panels. Highlights include working with pupils from local primary and specialist schools and a group of home educating families. They have co-produced new labels for the gallery, and students across Addey and Stanhope secondary school to co-curate a new display case.

In addition, 120 dedicated volunteers have contributed 5,992 hours of support to the project so far.

Pupils from Perrymount Primary School, Forest Hill, having a session with the Horniman’s Principal Curator of Natural Sciences Jo Hatton.
Pupils from Perrymount Primary School, Forest Hill, having a session with the Horniman’s Principal Curator of Natural Sciences Jo Hatton.
Pupils from Perrymount Primary School, Forest Hill, visiting the Horniman’s collection store.
Pupils from Perrymount Primary School, Forest Hill, visiting the Horniman’s collection store.
Pupils from Holy Trinity Primary School, Sydenham, enjoying a session in the Horniman Gardens.
Pupils from Holy Trinity Primary School, Sydenham, enjoying a session in the Horniman Gardens.
Pupils from Holy Trinity Primary School, Sydenham, taking part in a creative workshop at the Horniman.
Pupils from Holy Trinity Primary School, Sydenham, taking part in a creative workshop at the Horniman.
Pupils from Addey & Stanhope School, New Cross, taking part in a creative workshop.
Pupils from Addey & Stanhope School, New Cross, taking part in a creative workshop.