Engineering the future of the British Museum

Construction hoardings are rarely celebrated for their appearance, but at the British Museum they have become an attraction in their own right.

In the last few weeks, a remarkable depiction of the Bayeux Tapestry has wound its way along the Museum’s entrance route, celebrating one of the most significant cultural moments in years.

While the Tapestry tells a story of the past, work we’re undertaking behind the hoardings is helping to shape the British Museum’s future.

Using our expertise in the heritage sector, our Special Projects team are delivering two programmes of works to support the transformation of one of the world’s most significant cultural institutions.

At the heart of the transformation is a brand-new Energy Centre. Supporting the Museum’s move towards a more sustainable future, the buildings will accommodate a new primary heating system alongside cooling, upgraded electrical and life-safety infrastructure and support accommodation.

The project includes the installation of a state-of-the-art system combining air-source and water-source heat pumps, significantly reducing the Museum’s carbon emissions against the existing gas-fired system.

Our extensive experience in working with listed buildings will be critical to the success of the programme as the new builds are surrounded by listed property and priceless historic artefacts. The team must ensure works are done sensitively to protect the Museum’s contained history and business as usual operations, which support 17,000 visitors per day, ensuring the Museum can remain fully operational for visitors throughout.

At the front of the Museum, behind the specifically adorned hoarding, we’re working on a new Visitor Welcome Project which focuses on creating a revitalised welcome, security and arrival facility and landscaping in the South Forecourt.

While not taking place in the same part of the estate, the museum is managing major transformation across the estate and the geography of their estate means logistical arrangements are severely constrained. We are again delivering in a complex environment, requiring close coordination between project teams and museum master planners to ensure successful and timely delivery.

Our team will work hand in glove with our supply chain to apply specialist construction expertise to infrastructure that will support the Museum for the future, combining heritage sensitivity with modern engineering excellence and a clear focus on long-term performance.