Science Museum Group
The Medicine Gallery
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Location: London
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Division: Paragon (Fit-out)
Paragon was appointed by the existing client, The Science Museum Group, to deliver the transformation of the East Wing Level 1 Gallery, within the Science Museum on Exhibition Road. The works were to deliver the newly designed space working alongside the award-winning architect, Wilkinson Eyre, whose concept was to create a ground-breaking suite of engaging new galleries that showcased over 2000 of the world’s largest and most significant collection of medical artefacts.
These new landmark galleries echoed the museum’s sophisticated approach and their expertise in contemporary interpretation, to deliver spaces that are engaging and reflect the changing world. Paragon have already delivered the RIBA award winning and World Interior of the Year finalist, ‘Mathematics: The Winton Gallery’ for the Science Museum Group, as well as ‘Wonderlab: The Statoil Gallery’ and The Dana Library and Research Centre. Science Museum Masterplan Director Karen Livingstone said the new gallery would ‘create an elegant and contemporary space to display beautiful objects and tell compelling human stories.’
At a glance...
£10m
Project value
104 weeks
Length
50k
Sq. ft
The works included the creation of a new twin lift shaft with a three-metre lift pit which was located within the basement workshop area. There were several challenges to overcome as the building was one of the first fully concrete structures and therefore the team have had to consider the methodology to ensure that the noise and vibration levels were kept to a minimum. The team had to also tailor their schedule of works to ensure the building remained watertight and dust free throughout the entire project lifecycle.
Added value
The fit out works to the five galleries and the new lifts (which were installed through the five floors of the building) included new Crittall windows within the listed façade, full façade designed scaffolding to both elevation including a material lifting beam and gantry.
Various specialised finishes were used throughout the galleries, these included Sto acoustic ceilings, glazed fire rated doors and screen, new engineered hardwood flooring throughout, timber panelling, the removal of 2 No. existing cantilevered balconies, all associated mechanical, electrical and public health works and new public WCs.
In addition to the works highlighted above a substantial amount of asbestos was also removed throughout all of the galleries and the lift shaft area, which even included the complete removal of a floor slab as the concrete had been over sprayed with asbestos.
Specific emergency and rescue plans were also required as the asbestos was also within the plant room crawl tunnel within the basement.
Our partners
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Project Manager: Lendlease Consulting
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Quantity Surveyor: Gardiner & Theobald LLP
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Architect: Wilkinson Eyre Architect
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MEP Consultant: ARUP