Biggin Hill is one of the most famous centres of the Battle of Britain. Here ordinary people carried out extraordinary acts. Creating a new museum around its chapel would help new audiences understand its significance and create an important local hub. Working with Barker Langham, we produced an interpretation plan to help the museum deliver on all of its promise.
In tandem with an extensive period of consultation, we arrived at an interpretation plan that conveyed the courage of the men and women who were involved – not just fighter pilots, but men and women on the ground and members of the local community. Biggin Hill was also a place of extraordinary technical experimentation and innovation, and we looked for ways to balance people stories with these technological firsts. We also thought hard about an appropriate tone of voice that was positive without being triumphalist.
Our approach included interpretive interventions across the entire site, including the grounds, chapel and cafe, as well as ways to reach out to the surrounding area. The end result was elegant, inspiring and surprising, with traditional museum displays as well as more immersive interpretive approaches.