The Daniel Libeskind-designed Imperial War Museum North in Manchester, England is seeking the public’s view on the five landscape design proposals on display for developing its outside areas.

The finalists are KLA (UK), White Arkitekter AB (Sweden), Patel Taylor (UK), Topotek 1 (Germany), and Field Operations (USA).

// The competition
The competition is being organised by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Competitions Office.  In September 2008, five teams were short-listed from over 50 architects and landscape architects. Each team was then invited to come up with design ideas in response to the brief.

// The brief
The brief set the challenge of looking at ways of developing the outside areas at the Museum so that it becomes an integral part of the experience – introducing, reflecting and developing the message that War Shapes Lives as well as responding to and enhancing the Museum’s unusual architecture and location beside the Manchester Ship Canal.

// The designs
The designs on display are initial ideas only – the final scheme will not look exactly the same as those featured.

Once a final proposal is selected, IWM North will begin the task of fundraising for the project. Once we have the funding, the team selected by the Museum will work closely with us to develop the ideas and create the scheme. The development of the outside areas is aimed at completion by the opening of MediaCity:UK in 2011.

// Your views
The public consultation will be open between 13 – 25 February 2009. Please complete the feedback forms. A summary of your views will be made available to the judging panel who will meet in early March 2009 to make their final selection.

To submit your views got to: www.north.iwm.org.uk.