Property
development project architect
WS Atkins plc - Discovery Museum project receives boost from Atkins team
The Newcastle office of multidiscipline consultancy Atkins
has started work on a project which will see the upgrading of
one of Newcastle’s foremost museum storage facilities.
Working for Newcastle City Council and Newcastle University,
Atkins is undertaking a project architect role on the £1.5
million scheme which comprises the conversion of the Grade II
Listed Discovery Museum basement to form a new 2,500m²
collections storage and resource centre.
The project is part of the flagship £26 million Great North
Museum development, which aims to bring collections together
from the Hancock Museum, the Museum of Antiquities and the
Shefton Museum under one roof. This development will see the
complete refurbishment of the Hancock Museum site as well as the
provision of the new storage facilities at the Discovery Museum.
The work is being undertaken to allow Newcastle University and
the Natural History Society of Northumbria to house the non
exhibited natural history, ethnography and geology collections
from the Hancock Museum, as well as archaeological material from
the University’s Museum of Antiquities and Shefton Museum.
Atkins’ upgrades to the museum will comprise a new research and
service room, a school classroom and comfort rooms. Study areas
will be accessible for both museum staff and members of the
public to view the stored collections and new environmentally
controlled ethnography, geology, spirit, biology and archaeology
stores will also be provided.
David Fuller, head of design at the Newcastle office of Atkins,
said: “Atkins has significant experience of restoration projects
and a national portfolio of work.
“Drawing upon our team’s extensive expertise we have taken great
care to preserve the integrity of the original design by saving
a number of fine timber panelled screens, brick arches and the
original features of the cast iron structure.”
“The project has also provided us with some challenges as we
have had to take into account that the basement was originally
built into a sloping site which means in parts it is fully
underground, this could have been a problem without our team
paying careful attention to detailing which will prevent damp
ingress.”
“Our team is very much looking forward to the start on site,
which is expected in June.”
The Discovery Museum, which was designed by Oliver, Leeson and
Wood, was originally constructed in 1899 as a Co-operative
Wholesale Society warehouse and is located on Blandford Square
in the city centre.
Peter Derham, historic buildings officer for Newcastle City
Council, said: “The Hancock Museum and the Museum of
Antiquities’ collections are unique and irreplaceable and
therefore require specific environmental conditions and
protection from extremes of moisture, temperature variation and
from dust settling.
“This project is extremely important to the continued
preservation of the collections and being close to the Hancock
Museum will reduce potential damage to delicate objects and
samples which can be inflicted by transportation.”
Other professional forms working on the project are:
• Turner Townsend Project Management
• Newcastle City Council (Design Service)
• Tyne & Wear Museums
• HBS Business Service Group Ltd. (QS)
Email:
alice.andreasen@clothierlacey.co.uk