City museum reveals £54m revamp

The new designs are inspired by the domes at the Eden project

A museum in Greater Manchester has revealed details of a £54m re-development plan to turn it into a world-class visitor attraction.

The Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) will form part of a new so-called "museum quarter" in the city.

The radical plans for the museum's future include a design for an eco-friendly building inspired by the Eden Project domes in Cornwall.

Work on the new development called Revolution MOSI would start in 2009.

The museum quarter will stretch nearly a kilometre from the River Irwell to the Hilton tower.

'Environmentally-sustainable'

Translucent light-weight columns will incorporate reference to the cotton on which Manchester built its industry.

Photovoltaic cells on the roof will help supply the Museum's electricity, while its lily-shaped funnels will collect and recycle Manchester's infamous rainfall for grey water use around the site.

One of its four new galleries would be Revolution Manchester, which will showcase the region's world first innovations that helped to shape the world.

Work on the re-development is expected to start in 2009

Ian Griffin, director of MOSI said: "The newly-redeveloped MOSI would create a modern, environmentally-sustainable museum while transforming an under-appreciated area of the city into a vibrant new quarter with its own distinct character."

The region's world-changing inventions, such as the AVRO Triplane (Britain's first aeroplane to fly), Arkwright's water frame and 'Baby' (the first stored program computer), would be displayed.

Visitors will also be able to experience the very latest in cutting edge scientific developments in the new 'Science Alive' gallery.

Mr Griffin added: "We're passionate about creating an inspirational Museum for the 21st century, which is inextricably linked to the rest of the city."