Florence Nightingale was a living legend. In England she was immensely popular as ‘ The Lady with the Lamp’ – named after the lamp with which she walked her nightly rounds amongst the soldiers wounded in the Crimean War. Few know that she was a manager first and a caring nurse second. She was the driving force behind the professionalization of the nursing profession. Miss Nightingale wrote hundreds of books, letters and pamphlets and caused a revolution in health care.

We wanted to present her life and achievements in a modern way. Central to the design are three pavilions that dramatically highlight important periods in her life: her youth, the Crimean War and her later work and influence. A stethoscope enables visitors to access stories and quotes. By hearing her voice – spoken by an actress - one comes very close to Florence. All around the pavilions an ultrathin light box containing photography and films show the development of nursing from Florence’s time until present time. This kaleidoscopic view continuously relates the story of Florence Nightingale to the modern context.