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Museum of Dinky & Bayko

Part 1 Project 2013
Emma Hugh
University of Liverpool | UK
"Liverpool is the 'pool of life'" C.G.Jung. Memories, Dreams, Reflections, 1928

During the early 20th century, Liverpool was a major port with thriving with industry, innovation and invention, a city of strong community and a place often described as ‘the world in one city’. During the late 20th century, however, Liverpool’s Docks and traditional manufacturing industries went into sharp decline, with unemployment rates soaring, causing a gradual shift in the cities strong identity. Today, the city is going through regeneration, mostly focused around the central and dock areas.

Edge Lane, an area once housing the factories of Meccano and Hornby Trains, as well as both Dinky and Bayko, was chosen due to its roots in manufacture, and importance as a major gateway into the city. The planned redevelopment for the 2008 European Capital of Culture included extensive plans on Edge Lane, but were never realised. The aim of this project was to begin a structure of regeneration in this deprived, open area, in keeping with that of the rest of the city.

The museum should be representative of both Dinky and Bayko, but particular to neither, providing a sanctuary accommodating both adults and children. The museum itself is dug into the ground, creating privacy, a sense of enclosure and intrigue.

The project is designed around the theme of scale, the recurring link between the two toys. This led to the separation in building mass, with a large main block responding to the industrial scale at the South and smaller sculptural elements that form light shafts below ground responding to the residential scale at the North side of Edge Lane. These two elements provide exhibition spaces of different spatial experiences, one double height main space with uniform diffuse light for larger exhibits, and a series of intimate spaces for key individual pieces each with their own shaft of light. An open walkway divides the building, separating public and private space, leading to an exhibition tower linking the museum to the nearby botanical gardens and provides a viewing platform towards the city centre, also providing an approach from the main transport links.

Emma Hugh

Tutor(s)

2013
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