A new £7m gallery and museum will open in Woking, Surrey, later this month.
The new site, called The Lightbox, will be set on a 2,000sq m (21,500sq ft) town centre site and has been designed by London Eye architects David Marks and Julia Barfield.
Facilities at The Lightbox will include a museum, exhibition space, a tourist information centre, café, a retail outlet, educational spaces, research facilities and community meeting rooms.
The rectangular-shaped building practices eco-sustainability and has a 34m glass and light installation comprising 750 LEDs that change colour to monitor footfall.
Funding has come from the Heritage Lottery Fund (£1.6m),Woking Borough Council (£3m), Arts Council England (£300,000) as well as support from trusts, foundations, individuals and corporate donors to raise the extra £2m.
Lightbox’s director, Marilyn Scott. Said: “This is a fantastic and long-awaited day for anyone interested in art, museums, collections in the south east.
“Woking has remained museum and gallery-less for so many years and now its history is on the map and the community at its heart has a stunning place to participate in art and make history for the future.”
The Lightbox will be operated by a charitable trust.
