Planning Granted for the Inspiring Everyone: RAF Museum Midlands Development Programme

Planning approval has been granted for a series of exciting development projects at the Royal Air Force (RAF) Museum Midlands in Cosford. These plans include the construction of a state-of-the-art Collections Hub, the refurbishment and extension of the historic Hangar 1, and significant enhancements to the surrounding landscape.

Nationally renowned architects, GSSArchitecture, have been selected to lead the design and planning efforts for this transformative project. The new Collections Hub will centralise the Museum’s off-site collections, making them accessible to the public for the first time and enhancing visitor engagement. Additionally, the revamped Hangar 1 will undergo internal remodelling and re-cladding, transforming it into a dynamic exhibition and learning centre.

The landscaping improvements will enhance visitor experience by thoughtfully redesigning public spaces and pathways, increasing biodiversity and ensuring the site remains welcoming and functional for years to come.

This development is a key component of the RAF Museum Midlands’ long-term masterplan. The design process has been comprehensive, involving extensive consultations and reviews. These included design meetings, workshops, co-creation activities, and engagement with stakeholders, local communities and visitors. From initial sketches to fully developed designs, every stage has been shaped by the insights and feedback gathered during these sessions.

Public engagement has been a cornerstone of the project. A variety of consultation events and co-creation workshops were held, including a permanent display in the Visitor Centre showcasing the development, and interactive activities such as half-term drawing events where visitors were invited to contribute ideas for the Hangar 1 re-cladding design.

One notable workshop involved No. 1047 Wolverhampton Squadron of the RAF Air Cadets, who met with GSSArchitecture and Museum representatives to discuss the future of Hangar 1. The valuable insights from these discussions were shared with the wider design team, ensuring that the perspectives of key stakeholders were integral to the development process.

Tom Jagger, Partner at GSSArchitecture, said “We are thrilled to have achieved this step with these transformative projects. The collaborative design and consultation process involving Museum paid staff and volunteers, visitors, and the broader community has been invaluable. We are committed to creating modern, sustainable museum facilities that will enrich the visitor experience for generations to come.”

Karen Whitting, Director of Content and Programmes at the RAF Museum said “We are delighted to have secured planning approval for these crucial projects. The creation of the Collections Hub and the refurbishment of Hangar 1 are significant milestones in our commitment to sharing the RAF’s rich history. By involving our visitors and local communities throughout the design process, we have ensured that these new facilities will meet the needs and expectations of our diverse audience now and for future generations. We extend our gratitude to our funders, including the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Arts Council England, for supporting this comprehensive programme that will deliver lasting benefits for all our visitors.”

GSS has been appointed to carry out architectural and multi-disciplinary design services and is working closely with the Royal Air Force Museum, Project Managers – Focus, and Quantity Surveyors – Greenwoods, together with supply chain design partners SWJ Consultants (Structural Engineers), CPW (M&E Consultants) and LDA Design (Landscape Design).

To find out more about GSSArchitecture and the services they offer, as well as their extensive portfolio of projects in a range of sectors across the country, please visit www.gssarchitecture.com