Covering over 7,000 square metres, the new landmark building is a highly innovative design by architects Fielden Clegg Bradley, with exhibition design by Neal Potter.
It takes the form of two massive triangles divided by a central walkway, representing a world divided by opposing ideologies of the democratic countries and the communist block. This unique exhibition tells the story of the Cold War period, from the national, international, social/political as well as cultural perspectives.
The aim of the exhibition is to inform and educate present and future generations about this important period in modern history and to give a reflection of what life was really like.
Davis Langdon were appointed as Cost Consultants in 2003. The brief comprised designing an exhibition museum to house some of the aeroplanes involved in the Cold War era.
The main reason for the Exhibition, Britain’s three V-Bombers: Vulcan, Victor and Valiant, are now display, together under one roof, for the first time. The key challenges were in the design to accommodate a number of the 17 aircraft on display are suspended in flying attitudes.
Other innovative features include interactive kiosks and audio-visual Hotspots that focus on key aspects of the Cold War such as the Berlin Airlift, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and the Space Race.
The Exhibition was designed with Education in mind, so a number of new interactive displays were incorporated into the final design. The procurement route was single stage competitive tender using a GC Works 1998 without quantities form of contract.
The project stated onsite in December 2004 and achieved Practical Completion in August 2006.
Given the response from RAF Museum’s project manager Richard Fillenham: ‘our expectations are being met and surpassed as day by day the new Cold War Exhibition is transformed from ideas on drawings into reality.
It’s going to be an experience for our visitors – fun and informative –that they will take home and remember for a very long time. The project is a major success. The RAF Museum is now experiencing record numbers visiting the RAF Cosford Museum.
