We are delighted to be providing NEC Supervisor services for the expansion scheme for Manchester Museum’s exhibition space.
Architectural and Heritage Consultancy Practice, Purcell UK was commissioned to design a new steel-framed extension to house two exhibition spaces and create a new entrance on Oxford Road to provide a more visible and welcoming experience for visitors, with added new orientation spaces and a shop.
The temporary exhibition space restricted the museum from holding large touring exhibitions, due to being too small to accommodate. The 420 sqm ground floor houses the new exhibition hall which replaces the former temporary exhibitions gallery. The First Floor will accommodate for the South Asia Gallery, becoming the new permanent exhibition space on South Asia, in partnership with The British Museum.
The extension has been designed to successfully sit within the existing courtyard area of the Listed Buildings, at the Oxford Road campus of the University of Manchester. This posed challenges with regards to the construction sequencing and buildability, however, the solution was to create a lightwell along two sides of the extension to adopt a strategy of minimal intervention to the existing buildings.
“Purcell UK have paid the greatest attention to detail to ensure that the extension satisfies the quality standards set by Manchester Museum. Our Independent Inspector is working closely with the Contractors to ensure that the installation is undertaken in accordance with the works information.”
Associate Operations Director, Jonathan King
‘hello future’ is a major development to transform Manchester Museum and to bring more wonder and inspiration from around the world to its local and international visitors. The extension will house a dedicated South Asian Gallery and temporary exhibition space – an important facet to broadening the museum’s visitor access.
The scheme, which is expected to open in 2022, is estimated to cost a total of £13.5m. hello future is supported using public funding by Arts Council England and supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, The University of Manchester, and the generosity of numerous philanthropic supporters.
We are an award-winning Quality Site Inspection company providing NEC Supervisory services and Clerk of Works services, throughout the UK. We visit construction sites to focus on the standard of workmanship provided by the contractor and their sub-contractors and comment on the work being undertaken for compliance with the design and specifications agreed.
We work across all sectors to provide a quality service for our clients’ construction developments. To speak to us about your projects, please call us on 01226 743959 or visit www.hicktonqualitycontrol.co.uk.
Photo Credit: Purcell UK
