Gilfach Ddu is the name of the Quarry maintenance works located near Llanberis, deep within the Snowdonia National Park. Known today by locals and tourists as the National Slate Museum, it was saved from demolition when the Dinorwig Quarry closed in 1970. The buildings are a magical timewarp. As Hugh Richard Jones, Chief Engineer said at the time…

“We don’t want to change the place or paint it. We are very keen to keep the place as it was when there were quarrymen working here. If you go to the fitting shop, you will smell oil;

in the forge you will smell smoke: in the foundry the smell of sand, and in the pattern loft the smell of wood.”

Our role in the redevelopment project was to take what worked, add new elements that enhanced the storytelling and interpretation, while taking care not to spoil the authenticity of the site.

Over 8 months we created both a detailed interpretation plan and wayfinding scheme, working with Restoration and Landscape Architects to ensure that our work dovetailed and worked across the numerous interiors and exterior environments. We brought together a team of AV suppliers for hardware and software, branding designers, interactive designers and light designers and worked closely with the inhouse teams at the Museum of Wales.

The project was submitted for NLHF funding following successful bids and funding from the Welsh Government and Gwynedd Council.