£35m expansion and regeneration scheme wins council’s backing

Imperial War Museum 2

Imperial War Museum 2

Imperial War Museum 2

Foster & Partners’ plans to transform London’s Imperial War Museum have been backed by Southwark Council.

The authority’s planning committee has this week given its support to the first phase of the masterplan to deliver new, larger First World War galleries in time for the 100th anniversary of the 1914 outbreak of the conflict.

Work, scheduled to begin later this year will also see the south London building’s central hall reconfigured, the construction of a new museum cafe, and the introduction of new gallery space at the top of the museum, among the installation of new interactive exhibits.

International War Museum director-general Diane Lees said the project would provide a unique opportunity to transform the museum in time for a landmark anniversary.

“IWM was founded during the First World War as a lasting memorial to all those who played their part in the conflict,” she said.

“Our brand new galleries will allow us to continue this work in the 21st Century, helping to keep the history and personal recollections of the war alive for future generations.”

The gallery will close for six months from January 2013 to accommodate the work.