Dana Research Centre and Library

On behalf of CBRE, Stadium Support Services were called to investigate a series of issues occurring within the Dana Research Centre and Library at the Science Museum.

The Dana Centre is a 6-storey building comprising a library facility and integrated office space, that brings together the museum’s thriving Research and History Department.

Significant damage from water ingress had been discovered within the west façade of the building block requiring urgent inspection. An investigation was required to pinpoint the source of the water and devise a plan to repair the damage.

The Problem

The source of water was coming from a box gutter hidden above a glass atrium where the proximity of the affected area to the glass surround posed significant access problems. Rope Access Specialists were quickly deployed to investigate, generating an in-depth report. The report detailed multiple faults within the guttering system which had reached the end of its lifecycle, alongside sealant failures within the glass façade.

The gutter systems had been subject to many failed repairs by other companies for up to five years, leading to continued water damage over a long period of time. To preserve the integrity of the building and internal space, it was essential that the entire gutter system was condemned and replaced.

The Solution

Stadium Support Services created an action plan for the Dana Research Centre. Before any repairs could be undertaken, the residual water within the building needed to be dried out. Four industrial dehumidifiers, with 100m condenser hoses were used for two weeks within the building to draw out all excess moisture from the walls.

Due to the Dana building’s proximity to a major thoroughfare, the main entrance to The Science Museum and the Natural History Museum, it was vital that the works caused minimal disruption.

Access to the site was extremely limited with no available parking, which meant a MEWP (Mobile Elevated Work Platform) was the best solution. Each morning, the truck would access the site enabling five operatives in the cradle to carry out the essential building works.

The Result

Once the gutter was affixed and flood tested, the team sealed all glass window units. Internal work commenced, removing and replacing blown plaster boards and decorating throughout. The newly watertight Dana Research Centre and Library was quickly restored with new systems in place that would prolong the integrity of the building for decades to come.

Wooden Floor Refurbishment

Due to high foot traffic, the flooring had become extremely worn and needed urgent restoration.

The Science Museum is one of the most prominent and respected museums in the world, attracting approximately 2.3 million visitors annually. The museum is known for its collection of scientific and technological objects and exhibits that educate and entertain visitors of all ages. The Science Museum building is a historic landmark in London and has been standing since the 19th century. 

Due to high foot traffic, the flooring had become extremely worn and needed urgent restoration. The project required a trusted partner with the expertise and experience to carefully refurbish the floors. The museum management contacted Stadium Support Services due to a proven track record of successful floor refurbishment projects and experience working in historic buildings. It was crucial that sensitivity to the building’s heritage and internal exhibitions was observed.

Challenges

The Science Museum is a large and busy facility, with over 100 sqm of flooring to be repaired, so the refurbishing and sanding process required a complex execution plan. 

The first challenge was to plan the refurbishment work in a way that minimised disruptions to the museum’s operations. The main area connects the main entrance, lobby, and escalators, between the Medicine Galleries and the David Sainsbury exhibition, which sees extremely high volumes of foot traffic.

The museum would remain open to the public throughout the refurbishing process, which added another layer of complexity to the project. The project team had to ensure that visitors’ safety was not compromised, and the museum’s operations continued uninterrupted.

The second challenge was to ensure that the sanding and refurbishing process did not damage the delicate exhibits and collections housed in the museum. The project team had to develop a comprehensive protection plan to ensure that the collections and exhibits were not compromised during the refurbishing process.

Solution

The project team planned the refurbishment work in phases, with each phase carefully scheduled to minimise disruptions to the museum’s operations. The team worked during off-peak hours and at night to ensure that the museum remained open to the public during the day. The team also created a detailed communication plan to inform visitors of the refurbishing work and any changes to the museum’s operations.

The project team developed a comprehensive protection plan that included covering the exhibits and collections with protective materials during the refurbishing process. The team also set up dust barriers to prevent dust and debris from spreading to other parts of the museum. It was also essential that the slow execution was in place to prevent floor burn and over-sanding and subsequently a perfectly level wood floor

Results

The refurbishing and sanding of the Science Museum’s floors were a resounding success. The museum’s floors were restored, ready for the next 10+ years of footfall. 

The project was completed within the planned timeframe and budget, with no disruptions to the museum’s operations. The project team’s comprehensive protection plan ensured that the museum’s collections were not damaged during the refurbishing process. The museum’s management was delighted with the outcome and praised the project team and the specialist contractor for their professionalism and expertise.