Scott Browrigg is delighted to announce that its design for the Museum of Military Medicine in Cardiff has been shortlisted in this year’s WAF Awards in the Culture - Future Projects category.

The museum, which features the collections of the four corps of the Army Medical Services will relocate from Keogh Barracks near Aldershot to Cardiff Bay. By moving to Cardiff the museum aims to tell the story of military medicine and its benefits to the wider public in a modern, immersive and interactive way. The museum will not only house a fantastic collection of artefacts, including uniforms and insignia, medical, dental and veterinary equipment and ambulances, but also has an extensive library and archive that records the many stories of those that have served and their achievements.

The design suitably reinforces the museums status as the “first National UK Museum in Wales” and reflects its desire to promote transparency and openness, while carefully considering the surrounding context.

Given the types of artefacts on display, the design incorporates a variety of different spaces and visitor experiences. The incorporation of a connecting ramp is an integrally stunning yet functional design feature allowing the spaces to be connected through a prescribed, processional route. However visitors will also have the option to bypass certain areas to focus on those exhibitions and artefacts of most interest to them. The ramp and incorporation of gallery balconies enables different perspectives on some of the larger exhibits (particularly for children), offering elevated views from different levels. An open and transparent atrium space faces out on to a new plaza and the historic railway station beyond.

The concept design reflects Cardiff Bay’s cultural and industrial heritage as a port and industrial area, by using the concept of a ship or industrial container as the vessel to host the exhibits and artefacts.

The main body of the museum is conceived as a floating industrial form with the expressed north lights covered in corten steel cladding. The building is wrapped on two sides by the glazed atrium entrance and circulation spaces, enabling movement to be perceived by passers-by, creating activity and interest. In turn this is partially sheathed in a perforated copper veil which provides solar shading. Both the corten and the copper make a further subtle reference in colour tone (in a contemporary and abstract way) to the Pier Head building as a beacon within the overall fabric of Cardiff Bay.

A café, reading room, research facilities and an auditorium will be open for community use. A bespoke room, specific to the local community has also been included.

This year WAF, the “largest gathering of the global architectural community” celebrates its 10 year anniversary and will return to Berlin from the 15-17 November to celebrate, learn, exchange and be inspired. The fully inclusive festival awards programme recognises architectural excellence and some of the world’s best designed buildings, both completed and in development. Winners will be announced at the festival following presentations by the Finalists.

Watch an animated video of the Museum of Military Medicine below.