After a massive regeneration project, the Royal Arsenal site on the banks of the river Thames in London will open on 27 May, as Firepower - The Royal Artillery Experience. Set in the buildings of the Royal Arsenal, the arsenal is being opened up to the public for the first time since the regiment's establishment in the early 19th century. Four listed buildings are being renovated in order to house the collection, including Europe's oldest Military Academy, purportedly designed by Hawksmoor in 1716 and where Wellington drew up his battle plans. Apart from the Heritage Zone, which the museum is the focus of within the Royal Arsenal site, there will be a Commercial Zone, Leisure Zone and Residential Zone. Firepower has been designed to tell the story of artillery and those who have served as members of the Royal Regiment of Artillery - The Gunners. The attraction's centrepiece is the Field of Fire, that puts viewers in the midst of battle. Bombs and shells whizz overhead, guns roar and smoke fills the room. The thoughts, feelings and actions of those involved in campaigns from the Second World War to Bosnia, are explored through film, poetry and music. Brian Waddell, chief executive of Firepower says the attraction breaks the mould by provoking thought on a delicate subject: Firepower creates an emotional attachment for visitors by looking at the human story of courage and endeavour. Firepower has been partly financed by the Heritage Lottery Fund, while the majority of funding has come from donations made by serving members of the Regiment of the Royal Artillery and from the vast army of former Gunners.