LONDON.- The Estorick Collection of Modern Italian Art has appointed Nathaniel Gee Architects Ltd to oversee a major refurbishment of the building and garden. The museum will close for renovations in August 2016, reopening in January 2017.

The Estorick Collection opened in 1998 in Northampton Lodge, a Grade II listed Georgian house in the heart of Canonbury, Islington. The building was converted with support from the Heritage Lottery Fund to create six galleries, an art library, café, bookshop and garden.

Having welcomed over 300,000 visitors since opening 18 years ago, the museum is now undertaking major upgrades to improve the infrastructure of the building and to update visitor facilities.

Architect Nathaniel Gee, who was responsible for the original design of the Estorick in 1998, is currently working on new designs for the museum. These include a new look entrance, shop and facilities; renovation of the stairs and galleries; updated and improved access to the building, and a redesign of the garden, complete with a new conservatory linking the café to the outside spaces. More details and plans will be announced in the autumn.

The museum closes to the public from August 2016 until January 2017, when it will re-open with a new exhibition, War in the Sunshine: The British in Italy 1917-1918.