Press Releases
Swansea's National Waterfront Museum has won a top design prize
Date:
2006-04-06The £33.5 million attraction was one of 22 buildings from across the UK to win a Civic Trust Award. The award, which recognises good architectural design and public use of the building, received 316 entries.
The Museum, which has attracted more than 85,000 visitors since it opened last October, was given the award for making an outstanding contribution to the quality and appearance of the environment. Designed by Wilkinson Eyre, it has also been nominated for the prestigious £100,000 Gulbenkian Museum of the Year Prize.
The National Waterfront Museum was awarded an £11 million grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund – the largest grant ever awarded in Wales. It is a partnership between Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales and the City and County of Swansea and incorporates a Grade II listed warehouse linked to a spectacular brand new glass and slate building. The Museum is situated in Swansea's Maritime Quarter and forms part of the regeneration of the area. The remainder of the funding came from the Welsh Assembly Government, Wales Tourist Board, Welsh Development Agency, EU Objective One funding and other private donors and sponsors.
Dr Richard Bevins, the Museum's Project Manager said: "It is excellent that the National Waterfront Museum has been recognized by the Civic Trust Awards judges in this UK-wide scheme. This is a clear endorsement of the impact the scheme has had on the regeneration of the Marina area and of the quality of the architecture and landscaping that has been achieved."
Leader of City and County of Swansea, Cllr Chris Holley said: "I am delighted the Museum is getting national recognition. It is truly a world-class museum with outstanding architecture. This is wonderful news for the Museum and Swansea."
Amgueddfa Cymru — National Museum Wales is the new name for the National Museums & Galleries of Wales, which operates seven museums across Wales — National Museum Cardiff, St Fagans: National History Museum, National Roman Legion Museum, Caerleon, Big Pit: National Coal Museum, Blaenafon, National Wool Museum, Dre-fach Felindre, National Slate Museum, Llanberis and the National Waterfront Museum, Swansea.
Entry to all Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales sites is free, thanks to the support of the Welsh Assembly Government.
Contact details:
Fay Harris
Press and Marketing Officer
(01792) 638970