Issue 46 April 25 web - Flipbook - Page 80
Hidden challenges, such as archaeological finds can
impact timelines and prompt a need for extra skilled
operatives to be sought. For example, during the excavation works, Greendale Construction utilised a full-time
archaeologist on-site to oversee any discoveries. This can
have a massive impact on heritage projects, as construction works will need to be redesigned and approval sought
from the conservation officer, delaying the on-going works
while the relevant specialist is re-engaged.
can now dry out naturally, preserving the buildings
integrity for years to come.
Bringing the new and existing gallery spaces up to modern
museum standards has been integral to the museum’s
ongoing business case. The incredible range of timberframed historic buildings have exposed structures, which
has made threading new services throughout challenging,
however, architect and exhibition designer ZMMA working closely with Max Fordham, the services engineers,
have delivered galleries with new museum grade lighting
and audio-visual equipment, as well as providing the
critically required internal environmental conditions to
conserve the collection.
Work around the medieval Town Cellars has seen the
building conserved and restored revealing its original proportions, undoing a series of non-historic interventions
(which included a sunken floor and mezzanine structure)
raising the floor to form a level access and using the new
floor void to conceal mechanical air-handling equipment.
New plant controls the internal environment, allowing
the museum’s historic shipwreck timbers to be on open
display, including the star object – the Poole Iron Age log
boat which at almost 10 metres long, it is the largest
logboat ever found in southern Britain.
Such a redevelopment project entails working carefully
with the needs and priorities of a significant network of
stakeholders, including conservation officers, curators and
conservators, archaeologists, funders, volunteers, building
control, designers, contributors, community groups and
organisations, statutory bodies, local residents and visitors.
Coordinating between these parties, particularly when
there are differing priorities, has needed a collective
collaborative approach to ensure the proper care and
functional upgrade of these historic spaces.
The Town Cellars stonework presented another crucial
challenge as previous repointing had been done with cement mortar, which traps moisture and accelerates the
degradation of the stone. By replacing the cement mortar
with a breathable lime-based alternative, the stonework
Sustainability in action
Funding from the UK Government’s Public Sector
Decarbonisation Scheme, saw significant improvements
made to the environmental sustainability of the museum.
This included the installation of 360 solar PV ‘slates’ for
renewable energy, improved insulation to roofs and walls,
and the addition of secondary glazing to 60 window
Above, The new roof being laid on Oakley’s Mill – Image Credit,
Poole Museum. Oakley’s Mill has been completely re-roofed, with
new gutters and downpipes added. To bring it up to modern standards
and enhance sustainability, the roof has been fully insulated for the
first time and now utilises solar PV slates.
Above, Poole Museum’s estate – Image Credit, Poole Museum. A
drone shot over Poole Old Town and Quay shows the buildings in
Poole Museum’s estate (during the redevelopment) highlighted in
colour
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