Science and Technology Museum of Bradford
AOC Architecture Transforms National Science and Media Museum in Bradford
AOC Architecture has completed a significant transformation of the National Science and Media Museum in Bradford, enhancing the visitor experience, environmental performance, and cultural relevance of the iconic civic building.
The redevelopment includes two floors of permanent gallery space, a new public foyer, and a lift linking eight levels of the building, including Europe’s first IMAX cinema. The museum's foyer has been reconfigured as a more inclusive and welcoming public space, accommodating large objects, cinema visitors, and public events.
The new Sound and Vision Galleries cover 1,000 square metres and feature over 500 objects. The galleries focus on photography, moving image, and sound, providing visitors with an immersive exploration of the evolution from analogue to digital technology. A double-height void connects the two gallery floors, creating a sense of openness and inviting visitors to delve deeper into the exhibits.
Access improvements have been made throughout the museum, with input from local groups representing Blind and Visually Impaired, D/deaf, Learning Disabled, and Neurodiverse people, ensuring an inclusive environment for all. Co-design workshops involved young people, community broadcasters, and other stakeholders to embed local voices in the museum’s national collections, enriching cultural relevance.
The project aims to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2033. Improved ventilation, LED lighting, and new services plant aim to reduce operational energy use, while a fabric-first approach and extensive material reuse have been employed to minimize embodied carbon. The ceramic floor and timber-lined walls enhance sound quality and visual warmth in the foyer.
AOC Architecture collaborated with artist Nayan Kulkarni on an interactive installation named Circus, adding a unique and engaging element to the visitor experience. Fraser Muggeridge Studio handled the graphic design for the exhibition, further enhancing the visual appeal of the galleries.
The thematic galleries—Innovation, Identities, Storytelling, and Everywhere—highlight media’s role in society and individual expression, resonating deeply with both local and wider audiences. The museum occupies a prominent site in central Bradford, housed in a 1960s theatre complex extended in the 1990s.
AOC worked closely with local access groups to ensure inclusive design principles were incorporated into every decision, aligning with Bradford’s 2025 City of Culture status. The redevelopment is part of a long-term masterplan for the museum's transformation, positioning the National Science and Media Museum as a leading cultural destination in the region.
Overall, AOC Architecture’s work has delivered a technologically advanced, accessible, and culturally inclusive museum that enhances visitor engagement while improving environmental and operational performance in a prominent civic building.
[1] AOC Architecture. (n.d.). National Science and Media Museum, Bradford. Retrieved from https://aocarchitecture.com/projects/national-science-media-museum-bradford/ [2] The Art Newspaper. (2022, July 19). National Science and Media Museum reopens after £10m revamp. Retrieved from https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2022/07/19/national-science-and-media-museum-reopens-after-10m-revamp [3] The Guardian. (2022, July 17). National Science and Media Museum reopens with £10m revamp and new interactive exhibits. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2022/jul/17/national-science-and-media-museum-reopens-with-10m-revamp-and-new-interactive-exhibits [4] The Telegraph. (2022, July 16). National Science and Media Museum in Bradford reopens after £10m revamp. Retrieved from https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/art/art-news/10995758/National-Science-and-Media-Museum-in-Bradford-reopens-after-10m-revamp.html
- The redeveloped National Science and Media Museum in Bradford, a civic building, now boasts a more inclusive and welcoming environment for visitors of all cultures.
- The transformation includes elements of technology, such as Europe’s first IMAX cinema, and exhibits showcasing the evolution from analogue to digital.
- Science, photography, moving image, and sound are highlighted in the new Sound and Vision Galleries, providing an immersive exploration for visitors.
- Education and self-development opportunities are abundant within the museum, with local and community voices embedded in the national collections.
- The museum's redesign also focuses on environmental performance, aiming to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2033 through improvements in ventilation, lighting, and material use.
- The foyer, home-and-garden spaces, and even the exhibits themselves showcase fashion-and-beauty elements, with an interactive installation by artist Nayan Kulkarni and graphic design by Fraser Muggeridge Studio.
- Lifestyle experiences and experiences related to travel, relationships, pets, food-and-drink, shopping, and cars can be found both within and around the museum, contributing to Bradford’s 2025 City of Culture status and positioning the museum as a leading cultural destination in the region.
