Issue 46 April 25 web - Flipbook - Page 79
Such a significant level of investment has enabled a
redevelopment project that is regional scale in its
ambition, scope, and quality - transforming Poole
Museum into a major cultural venue, playing a key role
in developing a vibrant heritage and tourism offer in the
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole area.
Main contractors, Greendale Construction Limited, are
on familiar territory. The firm were the main contractors
in 2006/7 for a £1.3m redevelopment which saw the
rebuilding of the front of Oakley’s Mill and the addition
of a contemporary steel and glass atrium designed by
architects Horden Cherry Lee. They returned in 2022/23
for Phase I of the redevelopment project and also secured
the contract for phase II. They are working alongside the
architect ZMMA, who specialise in museums and
galleries.
The present redevelopment has a number of goals:
Maximising historic spaces
The majority of spaces within the historic buildings of
the Poole Museum estate were either underutilised or
completely closed to the public. The removal of non-historic partitions and structures has opened up spaces
horizontally and vertically, transforming the feel of the
buildings, enabling their architecture to be seen and better
appreciated, and providing more useful, functional areas.
Remodelling and refurbishment of the Town Cellars as a
new permanent gallery and Scaplen’s Court as a visitable
historic house and garden has brought two Grade I listed
buildings into a visit to Poole Museum – a significant uplift
in the scale of the offer. The redevelopment has more
than doubled the available public space without the need
for any new construction. Enhancements to the public
realm along with new wayfinding will create a more
cohesive and accessible campus-style experience.
Above, Scaplen’s Court Lift – Image Credit, Poole Museum. The
new platform lift in Scaplen’s Court is a key step in the museum’s
commitment to inclusivity, as it has made the medieval building fully
accessible for the first time.
• improving the public realm, visually and physically, to
connect the buildings as a single and cohesive visitor offer,
whilst allowing the unique character of each historic
building to shine through
Conservation and repair
A major programme of conservation and repair will
ensure the museum’s historic buildings are saved for future
generations and fit for purpose housing a major visitor
attraction. Work has included a comprehensive replacement of mechanical and electrical installations, new
CCTV, fire and intruder detections, re-roofing, major
timber, brick, and stonework repairs - including repointing
every elevation inside and out of the Town Cellars.
Accessibility: ‘Welcome to Poole for All’
Improving the accessibility of the museum and visitor offer
is at the heart of the redevelopment. The aim was to
ensure the museum and visitor experience were inclusive
by design and that everyone is able to visit independently,
equally, and with dignity. The new spaces and offer have
been steered and shaped hand in hand with access consultants and expert advocate panels with lived experience.
A key challenge with such major work has been balancing
the many requirements of public access and high-quality
museum display with the conservation and care of the
buildings.
Key interventions to the buildings include:
• addressing thresholds and levels so that the entire
ground floor of all buildings (including garden) is on one
level
Balancing the old with the new
Architects ZMMA developed a detailed Planning / Listed
Building Application strategy, which reflected the nature
of the project and acknowledged the different character
of each historic building. At the core of any historic
renovation is the preservation of original features which
requires experienced operatives capable of mitigating the
risk of further deterioration. Yet, the construction industry
as a whole is grappling with an ageing workforce, making
it increasingly difficult to source the specialist skills
necessary for these intricate tasks.
• installing new lifts, a larger lift to replace one in Oakley’s
Mill and introducing a platform lift in Scaplen’s Court for
the first time (this lift has two stops at the upper level because of significant differences in floor levels on the first
floor of the building).
• Generous circulation and orientation spaces and
introducing new accessible facilities including ground
floor WCs
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