Neal Potter provides a personal design and masterplanning service for museums and exhibitions
The National Cold War Exhibition                                              
Cosford, Shropshire, UK
(part of the Royal Air Force Museum)

Size:                   7,000 sq, m
Fit-out Budget : £1.730million
Dates:                2003-2007

Neal Potter provided the overall exhibition masterplan and content development for this new facilty at the RAF Museum. He provided the  concept of a "Divided World - Connected World" to the team and from there architects Feilden Clegg Bradley developed a landmark building.

Neal worked closely with the RAF Museum for a four year period. A 3D interior multi-media design was developed, tendered and realised. The new facility was opened by The Princess Royal and Baroness Thatcher in February 2007.

All relevant documentation was provided to assist the Museum in their fundraising activities.


A  series of 'Hotspot" structures provided mini silo theatres to bring to life the key moments
of the Cold War.  The structures were arranged between the collection of 19 aircraft, 20 missiles/nuclear bombs and 12 vehicles. Also included are aircraft and submarine models
plus a section of the Berlin Wall.



The design interpretation ensured that wider aspects of the Cold War - beyond the military machines - were at the heart of the exhibition: the Arts, lifestyles, sport and freedom.


(Below)The nose wheel of the Vulcan bomber
hangs out in space above the exhibit showing
the change in delivery system from air to sea.

                                                                                   (Above) The Protest Movements are represented                                                                                    within a theatrical sound and light show.

Events surrounding the start and end of the Cold War
are linked to the UK National Cirriculum.



The tension of the Cuban Missile Crisis is
played out within the 12 seat silo theatre.

Very late in the production the client asked for a
shop to be added. A solution was provided which
worked within the overall concept of the exhibition.