Ten years ago, Urban Foundry helped transform an empty shop in Swansea city centre into a space where people could discover, explore and get hands-on with science. A decade later, Oriel Science has welcomed more than 180,000 visitors and become a much-loved part of the city.
In 2016, we worked with Swansea University to help bring the original Oriel Science pop-up to life, turning a vacant retail unit into an accessible, interactive space that brought science out of the university and into the heart of the city centre.
It was an ambitious project, delivered in a remarkably short space of time, and a great example of what can happen when the right people come together around a good idea.
Fast forward ten years and Oriel Science has grown into an independent charity, welcoming more than 180,000 visitors and inspiring people of all ages to engage with science.
We were delighted to join Chris Allton and the team recently to celebrate this milestone and reflect on how far the project has come.
Urban Foundry has continued to support Oriel Science over the years, and it’s been a pleasure to see it grow from a temporary pop-up into an established part of Swansea’s cultural and educational offer.
“For us, Oriel Science is a brilliant example of creative regeneration in action. It shows how bringing an empty space back into use can do much more than fill a vacant shopfront. With the right ideas, partnerships and practical support, temporary projects can create lasting opportunities and become permanent fixtures in our towns and cities.
“Congratulations to Chris and everyone involved in making Oriel Science such a success. Ten years and 180,000 visitors is an incredible achievement, and a testament to the hard work and commitment of everyone behind it.”
− Dr Ben Reynolds, Urban Foundry Director
