The Drawing Office is the oldest surviving example of its kind and is now open to public tours for the first time in its 200-year history. The opening also marks the launch of a new residency programme at the Soane, which will see two artists hosted at the Museum each year, in Spring and Autumn. The two residents will be able to work in the Office and draw from the Museum’s collection, exhibitions, and education programme to inspire their work.
The Office was the creative heart of Soane’s home on Lincoln's Inn Fields. Here, Soane’s draughtsmen and pupils worked on his architectural projects, inspired by his extensive collection. The Drawing Office is a central part of Soane’s own legacy, where he supported the next generation of architectural talent. During the restoration, over 200 works were cleaned and reinstalled, some coming out of storage for the first time. Columns were realigned, bookcases and stained glass reinstated and original desks and paintwork rejuvenated.
Watch our film, featuring Deputy Director and Inspectress Helen Dorey and Jane Wilkinson, our Head of Conservation, to discover exactly how this unique restoration project came together.
Find out more about the office's history, meet our resident artists, and learn how to visit the space yourself.
