Installation work is now progressing at a break-neck speed at the MOSI redevelopment both inside and outside. The first of the two stair towers has been erected, painted, and now glazing is being installed, with the second tower not too far behind.
Remember this? As part of the building re-design, we are re-working the old entrance area, with the objective of making life much less complicated for our visitors. The ball and cone sculpture has been moved but will be back! We have removed several glazing panels from the old building structure, to create the new entrance to MOSI in the area here shown as a window to the left. That means visitors will walk straight into the atmospheric new orientation hall, rather than the coffee shop as previously.
In case you haven’t noticed, there’s a mini revolution going on at MOSI (Museum of Science & Industry, Manchester) in Castlefield. Although the Museum's other four buildings are open as usual to visitors, in our main building the diggers and cranes are in and a major redevelopment project is underway. We’re very excited about the changes that are going on inside and we want to give you the news about its progress live, as it happens. This blog, penned by Stephen Hoyle from our Technical Services department, will give you an exclusive, behind-the-scenes glimpse at what the team of builders, architects and designers are doing at your favourite family museum.
Please note that all our galleries apart from Xperiment remain open and we have a packed summer programme of events for all the family. Check the website for more details.
This picture shows the giant new lift cores being erected. The lifts and stairs will be inside new glass towers on the outside of the building to replace the old access ramps, which dominated the middle of the main building (see below).
For more information about the plans for the redevelopment project please visit our website
The main building redevelopment is the first phase of Revolution MOSI, the Museum’s ambitious redevelopment plan, which (subject to funding) could eventually include the redevelopment of the Air & Space Hall on Lower Byrom Street and a new Road Transport Gallery in Upper Campfield Market on Liverpool Road. The main building is expected to be completed by October 2010.
This is what MOSI’s main building will look like after the redevelopment. Inside, we've lots of surprises lined up for you. Our hugely popular Experiment gallery returns (note the 'E' has returned), admittedly having had more reincarnations than the Sugababes. The new Experiment gallery will be bigger and better than ever, most of your favourite classic exhibits will be refurbished and we'll be adding plenty of new exhibits for you to grow to love in the years to come. Our brand-new learning suite will ensure that our school groups can learn in the most stylish and comfortable environment possible. Swanky new conferencing facilities will inspire and motivate you in even the most tedious of product development meetings. We're creating a bigger, better restaurant and kitchen area for you to enjoy delicious freshly cooked meals. As an added bonus we're creating an exciting new, interactive 'Revolution Manchester' gallery that will give you a fascinating introduction to how Manchester changed the world, and will signpost you to the rest of the Museum.
Holly Smallbone, 8, had an insider view of the work at MOSI when was invited on a VIP tour of the redevelopment after she wrote in to Director Tony Hill. She is pictured here looking at plans inside the site with Tony Hill and her godmother Debbie Ledgerton
Environmental concerns are an important part of the redevelopment. Many of the building materials have been recycled, including aggregates and concrete used in the creation of the barrel ceiling (see picture below) to replace the void left when the ramps were taken out, recycled concrete and steel in the lift core, recycled bank notes to be used in signs and old yoghurt pots for worktops and interactives.
Look what happened when we moved our Mini – one of the well-loved exhibits in Xperiment gallery. This video was shot by Michael England, showing how the demolition works progressed earlier this year.
This is your museum and this is your place to discuss it. Do you have any fond memories or anecdotes from the building? Do you have any photographs of the old building? What are you hoping to see in the new building? Get in touch. We'd love to hear from you.
You can see more fantastic snaps of the building redevelopment by photographer Michael England here
