The design of the award-winning building was inspired by tanks. Picture courtesy The Tank Museum
The shiny new design of Bovington’s Tank Museum has been rewarded with a regional industry award.
The Heritage Lottery Fund-sponsored £16 million building won the Best Major Commercial Development category at the snappily-titled South West 2009 Local Authority Building Control Awards.
Tank Museum director Richard Smith said the form was inspired by the “dynamic, ground-hugging form” of modern tanks. “The building provides the museum with a new, dynamic image and setting commensurate with the quality of the collection,” he added, ahead of major new exhibition The Tank Story.
“The redevelopment project has not only transformed the buildings, but also allowed us to modernise and improve the way we tell our story. Our new exhibition will bring the story of the tank and its crew to life like never before, with specially commissioned audio-visual material, and more of our supporting collections on display.”
The structure was completed in autumn last year, although the show does not open until April 4 2009. Features include a new display hall, entrance facilities, shop and café, as well as a sloped external “tank arena” with a 20-metre high control tower overlooking the Purbeck landscape.
Museum representatives expect the redevelopment by Kennedy O’Callaghan Architects and contractor Norwest Holst to sweep further awards.
“I am delighted that the Tank Museum has received this award and proud that the Council has been able to play a part in the construction of this important building,” added Mark Sturgess, Head of Planning at Purbeck District Council.
