British Museum, South Colonnade, London

Client: The British Museum
Architect: HOX International
Type of Project: Structural reinforcement and restoration to the south colonnade soffits, roof voids and flagpole. As well as replacement of the copper roofs, including new access hatches, roof lights and louvres
Contract Type: JCT Traditional without Qualities 2016
Project Value: £2.7m

British Museum, South Colonade
British Museum, South Colonade
British Museum, South Colonade
British Museum, South Colonade

Curo Construction as Principle Contractor carried out essential maintenance work on this prestigious building. Extensive planning and liaison with the Museums stakeholders were carried out months before starting to allow a comprehensive 3D design of the visual impact the scaffolding would have on the iconic main entrance to the building.

 

 

Once approved, scaffolding to the soffits, pediment and two temporary roofs all wrapped in a bespoke colour netting and a pictorial of the pediment statues were erected. For the main works Curo Construction have liaised closely with the Museums design team and our supply chain to structurally reinforce the central and eastern roof voids.

We have extensively repaired and partnered the existing timbers and cast-iron beams to pro-long the life span of this area of the building as decay was weakening the structure.

The soffits have been repaired and restored using traditional plastering techniques and materials, the aim has been to create the illusion that the soffits are Portland stone.

The entire south and east colonnade copper roofs have been replaced to current British Standards as these were previously replaced over 60 years ago and had many points of water ingress. An upgrade to the Gallery 48 roof-lights and new louvres will future proof the galleries artifacts. Being entrusted with restoring a part of history is a privilege and considered one of the most important projects we have undertaken to date.

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British Museum, 41-43 Russell Square1-2 Finsbury Square, London - project 1