theguardian.com
Science Museum Opens New £65m Storage Facility
The Science Museum Group has opened the new £65m Hawking Building in Wiltshire, housing over 300,000 objects from its reserve collections, previously stored in Blythe House and other locations; the building combines efficient storage with public access.
- What is the impact of the new museum storage facilities on the accessibility and preservation of reserve collections?
- Three major UK museums have opened new multimillion-pound storage facilities, improving the care and accessibility of their reserve collections. This follows a 2015 government plan to sell Blythe House, the previous storage location. The Science Museum's new Hawking Building, costing £65m, houses over 300,000 objects and includes conservation labs and a photography studio.
- What are the potential long-term implications of this project for museum practices and public engagement with collections?
- The project's success highlights the potential for integrating advanced storage solutions with public engagement. The increased accessibility of reserve collections may lead to new research collaborations, exhibitions, and a broader understanding of museum holdings. This model could influence future museum developments, focusing on efficient storage alongside visitor engagement.
- How did the design of the Science Museum's Hawking Building integrate practical considerations with the visitor experience?
- The new facilities represent a significant shift in museum practices, prioritizing accessibility and efficient organization. The Science Museum's Hawking Building, designed with input from supermarket logistics, combines practicality with an engaging visitor experience. This approach contrasts with traditional museum storage, emphasizing functionality alongside the display of objects.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The overwhelmingly positive framing of the new facility is evident from the very first paragraph, which describes the old storage as "dark troves" and "obscure shelves," while the new facility is presented as a "wonder" offering a "new kind of museum experience." The headline, if there was one (not provided), would likely reinforce this positive framing.
Language Bias
The language used is largely descriptive and factual. However, terms like "wonder," "magnificent," and "wonderland" used to describe the new facility express strong positive sentiment, which could be considered loaded language. More neutral terms such as "large-scale storage facility," "impressive structure," or "extensive collection" might provide a more objective tone.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses on the new Science Museum storage facility and its benefits, but omits discussion of potential drawbacks or criticisms. While acknowledging space constraints, the lack of counterpoints to the overwhelmingly positive portrayal could be considered a bias by omission. For example, there is no mention of the environmental impact of the new building, the cost to taxpayers, or any negative consequences of moving the collections.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a clear dichotomy between the old, inadequate storage and the new, improved facility, without exploring any nuanced middle ground or alternative solutions. While the old system was clearly suboptimal, the portrayal suggests only two extreme options without considering incremental improvements or other approaches.
Gender Bias
The article does not exhibit overt gender bias. While specific individuals are mentioned, their gender is not highlighted in a way that influences the narrative. However, the analysis would be more thorough with attention to gender balance among the architects, curators, or researchers mentioned.