Museum of Science and Industry

The design contract for a showcase new interactive gallery at MOSI (Museum of Science & Industry, Manchester) has been awarded to London-based design company kin.

 The firm’s pitch for Revolution Manchester gallery - the introductory space for visitors which is part of MOSI’s £7m redevelopment project - wowed the Museum’s interview panel with its flair for innovation and ingenuity. The gallery, which is scheduled to open in October, includes unique interactive exhibits using the very latest in digital technology. It is designed to engage visitors throughout their visit, and even once they have returned.

 Revolution Manchester gallery will act as an exciting new orientation area for the whole Museum site, with sections on how Manchester led the world in the cotton industry, transport, science, energy, computing and communication. Kin has designed a gallery with interactive installations, around key collection items in these subject areas (which reflect the main Museum themes). The gallery will also be used for conferences and as a unique dining experience.

 Kin director Kevin Palmer says: “We’re really excited by our appointment to redesign the Revolution Manchester Gallery space. The Museum has such an impressive wealth of original exhibits and ‘world firsts’ that we want to bring to life. We want to make their stories relevant for today’s audience, using new technologies mixed with traditional storytelling telling techniques, in interesting and innovative ways. We hope to wow the visitors, whether they are young, old, experts or novices. We also want the experience to live on after the visitor has left the gallery. Using barcode cards they can collect and make a ‘digital scrapbook’ of all the things they’ve seen and interacted with. Then when they return home they can go online and see their results, engage in new games and promotions and hopefully come back again to see more.”

 Tony Hill says: “Revolution Manchester gallery will be the visitor’s introduction to the whole museum and we want people to really get a sense of the exciting innovations to which Manchester has been central, and to feel that they are part of the picture. kin’s ideas are fantastically creative, playful and innovative and stood out amongst the rest as delivering what we envisage. I’m delighted that they are part of the project and look forward to seeing the results!”

 Kin was set up in 2008 and is a collective of designers and programmers led by partners Kevin Palmer (formerly creative director for Digital Communication at Imagination Ltd) and Matt Wade (formerly design director of Moving Brands). They are specialists in digital communication design and have worked on a range of high-profile projects including interactive installations for the Barclays flagship bank in Piccadilly Circus, Tommy Hilfiger, Nokia and The London College of Fashion.

 MOSI is their first museum gallery design project, although in previous roles at Imagination, Kevin and Matt worked on permanent visitor experience centres for The Guinness Storehouse in Dublin, The Samsung Brand Experience Centre in New York and for Ford and BT at the Millennium Dome.

 MOSI’s redeveloped main building will include new galleries, restaurant, learning and conference facilities. The former ramp which dominated the main building has been removed to free up space and access will now be on the outside of the building, via two new lift and staircase towers.

 Funding for MOSI’S redevelopment project has been confirmed from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), which granted £2million, the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), which granted £2million, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), Garfield Weston, SITA, and a number of other trusts and foundations.

For media enquiries please contact: Sarah Roe, MOSI press and publicity officer on Tel: 0161 606 0176, m: 07847 372647

Notes to editors

• ERDF in the Northwest

The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) is making a real difference to people and businesses in the Northwest. With €755 million to invest between 2007 and 2013, ERDF is enhancing the competitiveness of the region’s economy by supporting growth in enterprise and employment.

 ERDF in the Northwest is managed by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA). For further information please visit www.erdfnw.co.uk

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