M Shed Museum

Housed in a refurbished 1950s steel-framed cargo shed, the new Museum of Bristol, M-Shed, provides a number of facilities including a fully operational engine shed and workshop.

Located on the waterfront adjacent to the city’s commercial centre, the museum sits alongside other dockside developments including the Arnolfini, Watershed and the Architecture Centre.

In the centre of the Main Foyer is the first of two new staircases that double back on themselves to offer what the architect describes as ‘privileged views’ to the north and south. The second staircase is located in the smaller west foyer. These two full height foyers act as orientation spaces for visitors to the museum.

Three permanent galleries and a temporary exhibition area make use of the original stripped-out warehouse. In surrounding rooms there is a workshop, café, shop and conference facilities. At the new second floor level a roof terrace runs along the perimeter of the museum on the harbour side and wraps around the museum to give panoramic views.