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Special Award:
Sustainability AwardLevel of Award:
Special AwardRegion:
West MidlandsLocal Authority Area:
StaffordEntrant:
Feilden Clegg Bradley StudiosArchitect:
Feilden Clegg Bradley StudiosLandscape Designer:
EDCO Design LimitedServices Engineer:
Max FordhamLLPContractor:
Galliford TryQuantity Surveyor:
Galliford TryPrimary Use Class:
D1e MuseumsThis fantastic building provides a new controlled environment display hall for the museum's collection of historic aircraft. The landmark structure controls humidity using low energy conservation heating and natural ventilation. The building demonstrates an innovative and sustainable approach to providing an environmentally stable environment. This is achieved by a building management system which monitors internal and external environments, and controls the internal temperature to deliver constant levels of relative humidity. Brave and novel, this means that the interior is only heated a very small amount, but is not uncomfortable for visitors. Importantly, it also means that the design does not invest in energy intensive systems to achieve precise environmental control throughout the entire year.Externally the building is stunning, with two offset curvilinear triangular volumes which rise 30 metres above the ground, and meet on a central divide which runs along the whole length of the building. The concept of the two triangular planes in conflict and yet in balance, is clear and strong. The roof is clad with an aluminium standing seam to produce a peaceful yet cold exterior which reflects the theme of the building. The display hall is creatively split across two levels to accommodate the sloping site. These levels provide multiple vantage points from which to view the collection. The interior is uncluttered, allowing the exhibits to dominate the hall.
