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Civic
Trust Award/Special Award for Sustainability 2008
European Steel Design Award 2007
British Construction Industry Award 2007
RIBA Regional Award 2007
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A new
museum to conserve & house historic aircraft together with
a visitor attraction with themed exhibitions. The brief required
the protection of as many aircraft as possible in a building
of architectural merit.
A number of constructional forms and materials were examined
to determine the most efficient and economic structure. Early
studies included looking at cable and truss supported fabrics
and inflated foils. The adopted solution responds, among other
things, to the site, long spans and the desire to maximise the
number of aircraft that are accommodated.
The building is split along its spine by a dramatic wall, a device
that addresses the change in level across the site and acts as
a symbolic referent to the Cold War which is the principal theme
for the museum. The wall is structured by a series of steel frames
at regular centres and supports steel trusses that form the structure
to the roof.
The approximate display areas will cover 6320m² with a further
763m² for ancillary use.
Steelwork Erection Sequence
Site photos
Complete
Principal/Consultant:
Nirupa Perera/ Michael Eatherley
Project Engineer: Malcolm Brady
Design Engineer: Louise Quick
Certificate
of Commendation,
Structural Steel Design Awards 2007
The
Judges' Comment: "This striking building celebrates the
end of the cold war, and its diagonally-split rectangular form
reflects the schism between the super-powers in the second half
of the 20th century. the large space, some 25 metres high, has
a hyperbolic paraboloid roof on a braced steel frame. V-bombers
are suspended by steel cables from the roof, whilst other aircraft
are parked below and film scenes heighten the effectiveness of
the display. The mood is hard and uncompromising, with unpainted
steel trussed rafters beneath the sweeping roof cladding, providing
an effective and economic envelope.
The building presents a stunning spectacle on this windswept
airfield, and provides an appropriate setting for an evocative
experience." |
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