London-based Avery Associates Architects has designed a new visitor attraction for Southampton.
Pending planning permission, the Museum of Southampton will comprise a 440-ft (135-m) Spitfire-inspired tower featuring a heritage museum inside.
The museum would comprise around 4,000sq m (44,500sq ft) of display space arranged on three floors above a ground floor reception.
The displays would trace the development of the city, with particular reference to its marine and aerospace tradition. It would include stories of the Pilgrim Fathers, the Titanic, the D-Day landings, the Empire Flying Boats, the Schneider Trophy Seaplanes, the Hovercraft and the Spitfire.
A panoramic viewing gallery featuring a restaurant and bar would crown the tower, which would be accessible 24 hours a day from the combined reception via a capsule ride.
Details of the location and funding have not yet been released. Details: avery-architects.co.uk