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)

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