Museum Building

Project Detail

Essential works were completed to refurbish the roof area of the Museum Building. This was due to its deterioration over a number of years.

The repairs to the Building, which is a protected structure, follow the damage which was caused to the internal historic fabric such as Plasterwork on ceilings and walls as a result of water ingress from the roof.

The slate and copper finishes including battens, fixings and substrates underneath were considered to be at the end of their viable lifespan and it was recommended that they be replaced as a matter of urgency to protect the historic fabric of the building from on-going damage.

The Slate roofing material, now over 160 years old, had reached its end of life and needed to be replaced. Any slates that could be re-used were be salvaged, all slates are being replaced, the 2 central domes were refurbished, the roof glazing was upgraded and the emergency fire escape platforms were replaced.

The works commenced in May 2021.

Building

The Museum Building was erected between 1853 and 1857 to the designs of the architects Deane, Woodward and Son, who drew their inspiration from buildings in Venice, Spain, and England. They went on to design the Kildare Street Club and the Oxford Museum.

Originally comprising seventeen rooms that included huge engineering and geological museums, a library, lecture theatres and staff offices for engineering, geology and natural philosophy (physics), today the interior has been extensively subdivided and now hosts the Disciplines of Civil Engineering, Geography and Geology.

Awards

The Museum Building Roof Project was shortlisted for an ICE Award 2023 in the Conservation or Restoration category. Although unlucky on the night, the nomination is a testament to the work completed by all those involved in the project.