Project: Rochdale Pioneers Museum
Location: Rochdale, Lancashire
Value: £750k

Loop Systems was approached by the Co-Operative College to design proposals for the renovation and extension of the Rochdale Pioneers Museum in the Toad Lane conservation area.

The museum is housed in the original building bought by the Pioneers and features a reconstruction of their original shop, which was later to become known nationally as the Co-Op.

The building was acquired by the Pioneers in 1844, was opened as a museum in 1931 and modified in the 1970s when a concrete frame was built within the building to stabilise the structure. Our proposals sensitively retain the existing fabric and add another chapter to the story of the building.

Using modern materials allows the visitor to distinguish easily between original fabric and our new additions.

The original shop is to be retained as the focal point of the museum, with exhibits housed on the first floor and education spaces located on a new mezzanine level above.

Working together with the exhibition designers, we will deliver a new museum to enable the story of the Rochdale Pioneers to be told to future generations.