ARCHITECTS at GSSArchitecture in Kettering are working with RAF officials and construction specialists on a major upgrade of the RAF Museum Midlands at Cosford.
Plans including for a state-of-the-art collections hub, the refurbishment and extension of a historic hangar and major landscaping enhancements have received the green light.
GSSArchitecture have been chosen to lead the design and planning work for the project.
The new Collections Hub will centralise the museum’s off-site collections, making them accessible to the public for the first time. The revamped Hangar 1 is to be transformed into an exhibition and learning centre while the landscaping improvements include new public spaces and pathways and increased biodiversity.
Funding for the project has come from sources including the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Arts Council England. The plans are the result of feedback from the public during extensive consultation with stakeholders, nearby residents and visitors. One notable workshop involved No. 1047 Wolverhampton Squadron of the RAF Air Cadets, who met with GSSArchitecture and museum representatives to discuss the future of Hangar 1.
“We are thrilled to have achieved this step with these transformative projects,” said GSS partner Tom Jagger. “The collaborative design and consultation process has been invaluable. We are committed to creating modern, sustainable museum facilities that will enrich the visitor experience for generations to come.”
Karen Whitting, the RAF Museum’s director of content and programmes, said: “The creation of the Collections Hub and the refurbishment of Hangar 1 are significant milestones in our commitment to sharing the RAF’s rich history. By involving our visitors and local communities throughout the design process, we have ensured that these new facilities will meet the needs and expectations of our diverse audience now and for future generations.”
GSS is carrying out architectural and multi-disciplinary design services, working with the museum, project managers Focus, quantity surveyors Greenwoods, structural engineers SWJ Consultants M&E consultants CPW and landscape designers LDA Design.
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