The Geffrye Museum of the Home in London will be comprehensively revamped in a bid to improve the experience of visitors to its Grade I listed buildings and gardens.

Wright & Wright Architects have designed a £15m (US$19.5m, €17.6m) scheme – called Unlocking the Geffrye – to significantly open up the museum’s 18th century almhouse buildings, improving circulation and access and revealing previously hidden spaces to the public. This, along with the addition of some new buildings, will allow the museum to welcome up to 50 per cent more visitors per year.

The project has received the green light from the London Borough of Hackney, and work is expected to begin by the end of 2017 ahead of a re-opening two years later.

The museum explores the changing role and status of the home from 1600 to the present day and how this mirrors changes in society, behaviour, style and taste.

The architects have designed a new Home Gallery, library and study in the museum’s main building, which will allow much more of the Geffrye’s collections to be displayed. A learning pavilion and studio will also be built in the gardens, and an old pub on the site will be restored, expanded and opened as a café.

Finally, an additional entrance will be created opposite Hoxton station, enhancing the pedestrianised plaza behind the museum and improving transport links.

Geffrye director David Dewing said: ”Developing the museum will ensure our buildings and gardens are safeguarded for future generations and many more people will be able to enjoy the Geffrye, be inspired by our collections and take part in our activities.

“With planning secured, we can now really step up our fundraising campaign to make our vision a reality.”

The project has already received an £11m (US$14m, €12.9m) grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund. The museum is fundraising the remaining balance and secured a further £1.7m (US$2.2m, €2m) from the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, trusts and foundations and individuals.