Featured project

Wreay Chapel is a Victorian building in the village of Wreay, Cumbria. We were asked by a local volunteer group to develop the refurbished space into the 'Sarah Losh Heritage Centre' with the introduction of an interpretive exhibition along with furniture, seating, and lighting. The project created a flexible space, bringing to life the story of St Mary’s Church and the Losh family.

The exhibition balances interpretation with adaptability, allowing the space to function as a visitor centre, meeting room, classroom, and creative studio, while presenting the site’s history for a wide range of audiences.

Wreay Chapel – Sarah Losh Heritage Centre

Working within the Grade II listed building, our role was to create an exhibition that would sit comfortably within the space, preserving its character while telling the inspiring story of Sarah Losh, a ground-breaking Victorian architect and visionary.

The exhibition tells the story of Wreay, St Mary’s Church, and the Losh family with displays that are mounted on existing stone plinths along the edge of the room. Interpretation is supported with storytelling audio, a bust of Sarah Losh, and a tall illuminated wall graphic detailing her legacy.

Bespoke elements, such as two beautifully crafted timber benches inspired by the church’s symbolic carvings, provide both interpretation and functionality. Designed to slot into each other for storage, the benches support a wide range of community uses, reinforcing the centre’s role as a flexible, visitor-focused space that balances heritage, storytelling, and contemporary use.

The space combines freestanding interpretation with the historic interior, shown here in one area of the room. The bust of Sarah Losh features integrated audio, while bespoke oak benches—inspired by the church’s carved symbolism—provide flexible seating and reinforce the narrative and character of the space.

Sympathetic Interpretation

The completed space demonstrates a freestanding approach to interpretation within a historic interior.

Materials, forms, and finishes have been carefully considered to complement the chapel’s character, creating a balanced environment that is both visually engaging and respectful of the building.

Graphic Details

Close-up views of the interpretation graphics highlight the careful attention to design, colour, and typography. Each element combines to tell the story of Wreay, St Mary’s, and the Losh family clearly, while complementing the historic character of the chapel.

“Over the time I've been working with Vertigo I have asked them to undertake jobs in impossibly small places, impossibly short timescales and in highly designated places with a list of ‘can't do’s’ and they have turned them all around to produce high quality results, within the time and budget set”

- John Scott, Heritage Management Team, Frontiers of the Roman Empire