National mining Memorial Centre

he 1930s building, which had lain empty for over 30 years, has been given new purpose with memorial, exhibition and storytelling spaces. Working within the restrictions of its grade A listed status, Purcell’s design approach was purposefully restrained to allow the industrial patina to remain and so that visitors can easily understand the former use of the space.

Three floors provide new exhibition and education spaces. The first and second floors contain library and research facilities as well as a storytelling area. A two-storey void was retained and enhanced between these floors to accommodate a display of health and safety objects which are artfully suspended in metal cages. The top floor is a secular memorial space that features a black memorial table formed from coal. This floor also enables the museum to host events and temporary exhibitions.