Delight.

This striking new hangar--designed by Feilden Clegg Bradley--was built to contain the world's first museum devoted to aviation from the Cold War period. As part of a masterplan developed by the architects for RAF Cosford, the museum contains a unique collection of aeronautical artefacts, including 13 Cold War bombers with wingspans of up to 50m. Deriving their concept from the exhibition title Divided World--Connected World (that represents the two opposing ideologies of the Cold War era), the building comprises two triangular volumes set one against the other with opposing outlooks and orientations. Rising from the ground, each volume twists gracefully--in a manner reminiscent of many aeronautical motifs--to create lofty spaces from where to enjoy spectacular overviews and lower more intimate spaces for low level display. A basement has also been provided that contains an auditorium and other ancillary functions.

Inspired by the efficiencies of aircraft engineering, the structure is simple and unadorned, with an array of straight trusses that fan out from the central spine. Two skins have been applied, with a standard metal standing seam system on the roof and a translucent fabric membrane on the end walls. The end walls provide diffuse light and are also demountable to provide access when required.

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