Museum of the Order of St John

The Museum of the Order of St John was founded at St John’s Gate in Clerkenwell, London, more than a century ago. The museum, whose extensive collections include illuminated manuscripts, rare armour, decorative furniture, ceramics, and silverware, tells the epic humanitarian history of the Order. From its crusading knights to the establishment of the modern-day St John’s Ambulance.

The museum is home to a unique and fascinating story of the ancient religious military Order. From its origins caring for sick pilgrims in eleventh century Jerusalem, through to its modern-day role.

Mivan collaborated with international museum designers Metaphor who were responsible for the master planning and design of the new museum. The £1.6 million redevelopment of the Grade 1 listed building restored many of the original features. Including both the Priory Church and the St John’s Gate building.

Mivan’s dedicated project team completed a range of specialist packages:

• Manufacture and installation of all specialist joinery and architectural metalwork throughout the museum. Incorporating setworks, fitout joinery and seating. Mivan utilised its 110,000 sq ft specialist joinery and metalwork factory to manufacture all the items required for this project.
• AV hardware touch screens and projectors. Mivan had to coordinate with AV software providers to ensure both parties were operating together.
• Extensive graphics and wayfinding package throughout the St John’s Gate galleries.
• Manufacture of specialist mounts for displaying the many artefacts on display.
• Installation of a feature glazed roof over a central courtyard between the listed medieval building and the 1960’s extension.
• Repointing elements of the stone façade.
• Structural alternations to the 1960’s building including the installation of stain glass windows.
• Restoration of original stone flooring and fitout of new floor finishes throughout.
• New door sets, expertly manufactured and crafted to match existing period doors within the building.
• Fitout of reception area, including dedicated retail area

Specialist showcase manufacturer, Meyvaert, were engaged to produce many display showcases. Installing 25 wall cases integrated into Mivan’s manufactured plinths that had a timber cladding that was flush with the display glass. The centre piece of the museum is a large central freestanding feature showcase with a light box discreetly incorporated into the ceiling. This securely displays the 15th century religious Weston Triptych attributed to the school of the Flemish Primitive painter Rogier van der Weyden.