Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery, Exeter, Devon UK

BAM Construction, the city council’s major contractor for the museum redevelopment, has completed all major demolition, stabilisation, stripping out, repair and construction work. Minor structural works, the installation of mechanical and electrical fittings and finishing will be completed later this year. Benbow Group, the Newton Abbot based exhibition fit out contractor, will then start installing new showcases, furniture and interactive displays.

Much of the major structural work was necessary for us to look after the largest object in the city’s collection: the museum building itself. Built over a thirty year period to house the museum along with a school of arts, a school of science and a library, this is the first time in its 140 year history that the museum buildings have been treated as a single unit.

Underpinning

Built over a Norman trench, subsidence was threatening the stability of several galleries and large cracks were clearly visible in several walls. The site has now been stabilised with resin injection underpinning.

Foundations

Victorian foundations are notoriously insubstantial and RAMM is no exception. Extra underpinning was necessary in some areas, piling foundations were laid in key areas and two two-storey walls have been completely rebuilt.

Demolition

Old conservation labs and a small gallery at the rear of the museum were demolished to make way for a new temporary exhibitions gallery and garden entrance.

Strip-out

False ceilings and partition walls have been stripped out to restore gallery volumes and reveal the original architecture. Plant, storerooms and temporary classrooms have been cleared from the central courtyard to create a fabulous new gallery and circulation space.

Repairs

Roofs, walls and floors have been repaired and, where necessary, replaced. Improved heating and ventilation throughout the building will enhance the environment for objects and visitors alike.

Construction

A new gallery and entrance have been built. The extra gallery space will expand the range of major touring exhibitions that RAMM can bring to the south west. The new entrance will allow visitors to enter the museum from Rougemont Gardens. A new platform on the adjacent Roman wall will give visitors stunning views of Northernhay Gardens and the city.

Alterations

New spinal routes running trough the central courtyard on each floor will allow visitors to easily find the galleries of their choice and ensure that gallery changes in the busy temporary exhibition programme do not interrupt the enjoyment of the permanent displays.

Who does what

The 2001 to 2012 Development Project is supported by the National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund.