Royal Observatory Reinvigoration Project

Polly led a team to deliver a masterplan study for the Royal Observatory and proposed a clear vision and plan for how to build reach, revenue and reputation in time for the 350th anniversary in 2025.

Do you know why the Greenwich Meridian Line is where it is today? Polly led a team to deliver a masterplan study for the Royal Observatory that proposed a clear vision and plan for how to build reach, revenue and reputation in time for the 350th anniversary in 2025.

One key challenge of the Observatory’s story was to enable visitors to understand the role of astronomers and their use of a number of evolving scientific instruments to help them to determine time and our place in space with increasing accuracy. This study informed the design of a more engaging and welcoming visitor entrance and introduction; the re-interpretation of the Meridian Observatory; the representation of Flamsteed House to tell the stories of Astronomers and their families; and the restoration and opening up of the Altazimuth telescope.