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The Collection Store Refurbishment (CSR) Project forms part of both the wider NHM Unlocked Programme and NHM 150th Anniversary Campaign Programme, which supports:
-The internal moves of 11 million specimens
-The moves of 28 million specimens to our new facility at Thames Valley Science Park
-The 150th Anniversary Campaign to open previously closed galleries to the public
-The sale of our South London Collections facility
The NHM Unlocked Programme represents the largest ever move of natural history specimens worldwide. The wider CSR project has been tasked with refurbishing collections stores and rehousing five collections across five locations across the South Kensington Estate in suitable collections conditions.
The business case for the NHM Unlocked Programme is predicated on limited space and historic, ageing buildings; meaning that globally important specimens are being kept in conditions that hamper access and sometimes fail to meet minimum environmental standards. Moreover, the insights locked up in the collection remain largely untapped. From tackling climate change and meeting the mineral needs of a net zero world, to restoring biodiversity and achieving food security, the collection offers insights into the planetary emergency and how we might realise a brighter future where both people and planet thrive. The CSR Project supports this endeavour.
Initially we will be tendering for works on the Osteology Store, this will convert a collections store in the basement of the Grade I Listed Waterhouse Building into a temporary “Logistics Hub” and future end state store for heavy and large specimens coming from our South London Store.
As a separate tender there will be a further opportunity to express an interest in tendering for the Main Works package which covers refurbishment works to the other four areas around the South Kensington Estate, including subsequent areas of the Waterhouse Basement (two locations), Darwin Centre Phase 1 and in the Palaeontology Building.
This tender relates to the initial works package located in the Osteology Store. The works comprise:
-refurbishment and alteration of Rooms B.03, B.07, B.07B-H, B.07J and BC05,
-demolition of non-original partitions and raised floors, offices and removal of associated finishes and furnishings (excluding items retained on the eastern wall).
-Internal works include the construction of a new security lobby with dry-lined partitions and a powered door,
-repairs to damaged fabric and flooring, and measures to prevent pest ingress.
-Window and door works including repairs and redecoration to historic partitions and doors, installation of secondary glazing to three north-facing windows, adaptations for building services, and a new powered external door,
-Building services works include the removal and rebalancing of existing ventilation systems, strip-out of redundant electrical and data services, and the Stage 4 design and installation of new HVAC, electrical, fire alarm, security, BMS and controls systems.
-All works will be undertaken in accordance with the fire strategy, maintaining the integrity of existing 120-minute compartment walls, and will include temporary protection of historic features, cleaning and making good on completion.
This phase of the project will initially prioritise the early conversion of the existing basement Osteology Store to a 'Logistics Hub', supporting the sequencing of moves and works in other areas and to reduce programme risk. It is critical that the Logistics Hub is made available early to enable the decant of the Old General Herbarium, the former Origins Gallery, the moves to Thames Valley Science Park (TVSP) and the sale of the South London Collections Facility.
Following completion of the decant activities, the Logistics Hub will transition to its permanent configuration and use as a collections store accommodating the Heavy and Large Objects of the Mineralogy and Palaeontology Material Collection. Wherever possible, a 'light-touch' approach has been adopted to support the programme, minimise cost and impact to the significant historic fabric.
