The National Army Museum in London has announced it will unveil its new look on 30 March following a major overhaul.

The transformation of the Chelsea attraction was undertaken to improve the visitor experience, facilitating better interaction and engagement with the collection, and creating a more accessible space able to deal with increasing guest numbers.

A £11.5m cash injection from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) helped pay for the £23.75m (US$29.5m, €27.5m) makeover.

Under lead architects BDP, five distinct galleries have been created around different themes: Soldier, Army, Battle, Society and Insight. Through these permanent exhibits the museum, which has a collection of 2,500 artefacts, aims to educate visitors about the role of the army and its place in society throughout history.

The redevelopment also includes an area for temporary exhibitions, education and learning rooms, a coffee shop, retail outlet and children’s play zone. It’s forecast visitor numbers will climb as high as 400,000 per annum in the next 10 years.

“The new National Army Museum is a bright, contemporary space where visitors of all ages can learn about the British Army past and present,” said Janice Murray, National Army Museum director general.

“The thematic galleries provide a space to explore and discuss the army and its relevance to society in ways that we sometimes would not imagine, from fashion and films to flood defences and, of course, conflict. We are excited to welcome visitors to come and explore this story with us in the new Chelsea museum.”

The National Army Museum was pioneered by Field Marshal Sir Gerald Templer who raised money for the attraction, which was established in 1960. It moved to its Chelsea site, into a new building designed by William Holford & Partners, in 1971. The museum closed for refurbishment in May 2014.