AN AMBITIOUS design for an iconic building to house Swindon’s museum and art gallery has been unveiled.

The butterfly-shaped structure, which will house a nationally significant collection of modern art, is intended to become a focal point of the town’s new cultural quarter.

Trustees and supporters, who hope it will become the most admired civic museum in the country, gathered yesterday at the current base in Old Town to inspect an architect’s model of what they hope will become the most admired civic museum in the country

Costing £22 million, the project on the site of the now demolished Wyvern car park will create a public space dedicated to art, history and science, with a café and shop.

Director Hadrian Ellory-van-Dekker was enthusiastic about the design, which has an open top deck garden featuring beehives.

He explained the trust talked informally to 15 architects before drawing up a shortlist and eventually choosing one.

“This was the design that universally excited us,” he said. “It was also the design, for me, that created a landmark building.

“The architects had really thought about the town, thought about the position in the town.”

An application will be made to the Heritage Lottery Fund for £10 million towards the cost of the scheme. Swindon Borough Council has pledged £5 million

One of the trustees, Nicky Alberry, told the Advertiser: “We have to raise the rest and we have to make sure that whatever we end up with, the building is sustainable for the future.”

Ken Shuttleworth, founder of Make Architects, said: “Our team is extremely excited by the immense potential of the site.

“We believe the development of the space is a fantastic opportunity to create a beautiful cultural destination in the heart of Swindon that safeguards, enhances and celebrates the area’s collections, and creates new and engaging public realm that draws and excites visitors.

“We envisage a world-class building that will become an artefact in itself, an object that symbolises Swindon’s past, present and future.”

Coun Garry Perkins, Cabinet Member for regeneration said: “We know from other hugely ambitious cultural projects, such as the Turner Contemporary that has re-energised and regenerated Margate, that the economic benefits to the surrounding area are huge.

“This structure and all that goes in it will play a key part in securing the town’s future economic and cultural regeneration, and put us firmly on the map as a major destination for arts, heritage and science.”

Four gallery spaces are in the design, along with event spaces, learning centre and an interactive science facility.

Chairman of the trust Robert Hiscox said the borough council had identified the need for a cultural quarter in Swindon and the new museum and art gallery would give it a heart.

“It will also benefit the town’s economy by making Swindon a destination for visitors and businesses. This is not a vanity project; it is a serious investment in the future prosperity of the town.”