• Client: The Science Museum
• Architect: DMA Designs
• Photography: Science Museum Group
• Value: £1,2m
• Expertise: Structures, Building Services

The Science museum is located on Exhibition Road, South Kensington. It exhibits a world class collection of objects and stories of scientific, technological and medical advancements from across the globe.

Webb Yates Engineers provided the structural and building services engineering for the refit and expansion of the Science Museum’s main shop. The shop is adjacent to the main entrance, energy café and energy hall. The mezzanine above, previously home to the Bridge Gallery, was converted into additional interconnected retail space linking to the shop below.

Our structural work included demolishing the existing staircase and part of the mezzanine walkway. We provided the concept design of a new ‘feature staircase’ and glazed balustrade.

One of the main challenges of the project was working in a live environment, as entrance foyer and galleries remained open for the duration of the refurbishment works to the existing shop and exhibition gallery. It was essential that works on site were undertaken in a way that minimised noise and dust and eliminated any form of site welding. A careful construction sequence had to be adopted in order to maintain limited disruption to the staff and visitors. 

The approach to the building services strategy was to re-use existing central infrastructure services, mains cables and distributions boards where possible by incorporating them into the architecture of the new shop. New power and data cabling to till points and lighting were provided as part of the scheme. A significant amount of existing services, particularly power and data to the existing shop, had to be stripped out as part of the enabling works.