Lascaux Caves

Dordogne, France

Opened in 2016

The Lascaux Caves in Dordogne, France, is a permanent visitor attraction designed to replicate the original prehistoric caves. This recreation allows the public to enjoy the remarkable cave paintings while preserving the integrity and quality of the original artworks.


OUR ROLE

Greenway Associates were appointed as cost consultants and procurement managers for the exhibition works at Lascaux Caves. Jared Mensah, our museums expert, led our  team on this project. Our role included cost planning and tender documentation for multiple work packages. These packages covered fiberglass cave wall replicas, bespoke joinery, graphics, lighting, and audio-visual hardware and software.


THE PROJECT

Visitors are immersed in large-scale artwork with interactives to take them back to prehistoric settings. A unique feature of this project is a multimedia visitor 'exhibits companion’ which provides visitors with more detailed information on each exhibit and an augmented experience throughout their tour.

“A brilliant exhibition, L’Atelier de Lascaux, is the ‘reveal’ moment, where the artifice of the replica becomes apparent. Here one marvels at the skill of the scenographic designers as well as the cave artists. It is a spectacular space and generally devoid of the patronising interactive displays that are so common in museums these days.
”
— Vicky Richardson, ICON

CHALLENGES AND ACHIEVEMENTS

The aim of the project was to produce a replica of the original Lascaux cave which closed in the 1960s. To achieve this goal, the galleries were constructed underground. This presented challenges of access and environmental control for the large replica paintings and high volume of audio-visual immersive displays. Each package had to be carefully procured and sequenced to ensure best quality and cost efficiency.


AWARDS

  • -Winner of the Dezeen Awards 2018

  • -Winner of the 2018 FX Award for Global Project

  • -Winner of the 2018 Architecture MasterPrize for Interior Exhibition

  • -Winner of Dazeen Award for Civic and Cultural Interior


THE DETAILS

Cost Consultant: Greenway Associates

Lead Designer: CassonMann

Status: Opened 2016