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Imperial War Museum North (IWMN) has selected Topotek 1 as the design team to develope the external areas of the museum in Trafford. This decision was based because after reviewing the scheme proposed by Topotek 1 which complements the Libeskind’s building.

From Topotek 1:
The camouflage patterns used by the military are an abstraction of landscapes of combat. These patterns represent a visual average of the natural environment: the muted green, brown, and ocher hues of typical camouflage are a graphic summary of wild and cultivated places. We wish to confront the global scale of war represented by the building with the local scale where battles are fought. War does not only re-configure lines on a world map, but changes everyday landscapes.

We have selected four themes that represent the British landscape: stone, fields, water, and forest. Like the camouflage pattern, these landscapes are condensed into their essential character, and reconfigured in a system of gently tilting planes. This system provides a soft, horizontal, and continuous base for the museum; subtle shifts in elevation and angle accommodate a variety of programs in a relatively small area. The landscape forms a collage of dignified spaces for reflection, gathering, and play that complements the gravity of the museum’s content.”

The sense of experimental design that is enshrined in the architecture of IWMN continues to be an important consideration for the museum and the development of the external spaces. The new design will include:

• a new quayside walkway with 24 –hour access across the water frontage
• a landscaped garden built over the car-park to give elevated views of IWM North and MediaCity:UK beyond
• a children’s play area including sensory and kinetic elements spaces for future exhibits and art installations
• a water-sculpture as a focus for contemplation and reflection.

These designs are initial concepts and IWMN will now begin the task of fundraising and seeking partners to help realise the project. Once funding has been secured, Topotek I will work closely with the Museum to develop the ideas and create the final scheme. The first phase of development of the outside areas is aimed at completion to coincide with the opening of MediaCity:UK in 2011.

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