Year
2023
Category
Featured Projects, Historic Buildings, Specialist Lighting Design
Client
The British Museum
Location
London
Project Value
£5M
The British Museum – White Wing
TGA were engaged to design the Mechanical and Electrical services for the refurbishment of the White Wing. Following engagement on several previous infrastructure projects, TGA utilised existing plant space and design a series of installations within the confines of this Grade 1 Listed Museum.
Project Summary
The five-storey wing originally opened in 1885 as an extension to the existing museum site in central London. The project comprised a phased refurbishment with many of the objects and staff remaining in the building. This ‘live’ building scenario added an additional layer of complexity to the project as existing services had to be maintained until new services were ready for transition.
The refurbishment utilised plant provisions and riser designs, previously designed by TGA under the Crawford Project and Islamic Galleries project. All existing services were gradually stripped out, replaced and renewed to suit the Wing’s new purpose. The White Wing now features object storage and examination rooms, as well as libraries space, study rooms and extensive office accommodation.
As well as traditional Mechanical and Electrical building services, TGA also provided in house Specialist Lighting services and extensive BIM usage. The entire White Wing was modelled in Revit with individual conduits drawn for sign off by the museum director in some areas.
Due to the building requirements, night-time working and witnessing was common as each phased handed over. This was to maintain the security and life safety systems of the museum, with all works being carefully planned around the museum events calendar.
Underfloor heating and piped heating systems were provided to maintain the look and feel of the accommodation whilst hidden ducted air systems provided
fresh and tempered air to landlocked accommodation. Lighting provided not only general illumination and wayfinding but also highlighted architectural details that are present throughout the White Wing.
