Search
News Support Us
a concept drawing of an extension building linked to an existing curved building via a glass walkway. The extension building is shown as a white cuboid shaped building, to the left of the existing building which is taller and has rounded walls and central doors with a path that approaches them.

Ruskin Building development plans

Lancaster University plans to develop its Ruskin Building so it can preserve and publicly display the world’s largest collection of works relating to Victorian artist, writer and social reformer John Ruskin.

Plans are set to be submitted to Lancaster City Council next month for a single-storey extension to the south of the existing Ruskin Building, linked to it by a glass walkway.

The new facility is a necessary step to ensure the buildings housing the collection fully comply with current design standards to protect and preserve these important works.

a concept drawing of an extension building linked to an existing curved building via a glass walkway. The extension building is shown as a white cuboid shaped building, to the left of the existing building which is taller and has rounded walls and central doors with a path that approaches them.
A concept sketch of the view towards the Ruskin Building main entrance

Information about long-term plans for the Ruskin, and the work needed to also meet University Museum accreditation standards, was shared with staff in June 2024.

The Ruskin Whitehouse Collection, which includes thousands of paintings, drawings, books, manuscripts, photographs, and daguerreotypes, is of international significance.

It was on loan to Lancaster University from 1996, before being formally purchased by the University, with funding from the National Heritage Memorial Fund and others, in 2019.

The collection carries significance across a wide range of research fields, enabling opportunities for cross-disciplinary research. The collection is routinely consulted by international scholars across the arts and sciences.

Plans for the expanded Ruskin building feature new archive, gallery and workshop spaces.

It will open new opportunities for staff and students at Lancaster University, and will allow schools, community groups and members of the public to engage more fully with the collection.

It will also ensure that this important collection, which plays such a significant part in the heritage of northern England, remains in the North.

The project is expected to cost £14.4 million, with the building scheduled to reopen in 2028.

Director of The Ruskin Museum & Research Institute, Professor Sandra Kemp, said: “The Ruskin Whitehouse Collection is of international importance, and its home in the north-west of England reflects its roots in, and importance for, the peoples and landscapes of Lancashire and Cumbria. The newly extended building is essential in order to provide responsible custodianship here at Lancaster University.

“As a research-intensive University with a deep commitment to our region and its young people, we will ensure this cultural asset reaches as many people as possible from our local communities to our research networks and partnerships which span the globe.”

Visit the Ruskin website to find out more about the Museum and Research Institute, the development of an online platform featuring digitised works, and national and international exhibitions.