Manchester places

Daniel Libeskind outside IWMN

Its awards aren’t just down to the collections and exhibitions that it houses, they are also down to the housing itself, designed by the internationally renowned architect, Daniel Libeskind.

The Polish-born American is responsible for many striking pieces of architecture around the world, including the Jewish Museum in Berlin. The Imperial War Museum North was his first building in the UK and it’s one that he’s understandably proud of.

Brutal brilliance

Yet it’s not the easiest building to understand at first glance. A mass of metal and curves, it’s only after consideration that the brutal brilliance of it falls into place, and that’s because of Libeskind’s inspiration.

It was, after all, designed not with war but with conflict in mind, and as Daniel himself says, it represents a globe shattered by conflict.

Human on the inside

The architect is sure that the museum's success is down to the human story it tells.

“I am delighted that the museum has won an award. Its biggest success to me, though, is the fact that it tells a story, the human story of conflict.

“It empowers people to understand conflicts and why it is important to remember the impact of conflict.”

Imperial War Museum North

Daniel is currently working on his design for the World Trade Centre site. That design is to include a museum which will act as the entrance to the Ground Zero memorial site.

With buildings like the IWMN already in his portfolio that show his ability to combine expression with practicality and architecture with art, it is certain to be a remarkable landmark.