Refurbishment of Imperial War Museum


Fantastic new refurbishment of the Imperial War Museum.

The museum seemed to have been shut for ages but it was worth the wait as the new lay out is really good. It took me a while to realise that one floor has been removed dropping the large objects down to what was the basement. This gives a great view looking down on them as you come in.

This then gives new gallery space to one side, where the First World War galleries are, and the inevitable bigger café space. Top tip if you just want a cup of coffee and cake there is another quieter café on one of the upper floors. There is also an impressive grey staircase running up the atrium which has releieved pressuer on the back stairs. I like the roof terrace space inside at the top of the building but I was a bit unsure what it would be used for.

On the old ground floor the new gallery, round the end of the atrium, now tells the story of the Second World War with large objects. I did find the information boards here quite annoying as often they are a long way from the object and you have to go and hunt them out, work out where the object you are interested in is on the plan and then read it. All a bit of an effort! It does give the objects an uncluttered look and leave then to tell the story but without any commentary bits of the story can go untold. It feels a bit like a museum as an experience rather than as history.

Still I am getting moany again! I thought the new space was great and I look forward to seeing the different ways in which is it used.

Review
Telegraph


 

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