Hintze Hall

Hintze Hall is the cathedral-like entrance to the Natural History Museum. The hall is an exhibit in itself, made up of unique, listed artefacts such as the hand-painted botanical tiles lining the roof, and the 1,300-year old sequoia tree cross section sitting high above the main entrance archway.

We were appointed to undertake the M&E base build and exhibition fit-out works required to reinstate the blue whale skeleton. In preparation for this redisplay we carried out a full thermal analysis of the hall to understand and improve the internal environmental conditions for both visitors and exhibits.

Using the latest CFD modelling techniques we were able to revive Alfred Waterhouse’s original ventilation plans for the iconic hall, designed in 1865. Having researched Waterhouse’s original plans we discovered many of his solutions were not finished properly during the museum’s construction, significantly compromising the ventilation in the hall: temperatures can reach 40°C during summer months. By sympathetically restoring natural ventilation openings we achieved a 65% improvement in conditions, minimising thermal extremes and achieving a more stable 28°C ideal.

RELATED PROJECTS>

- M&E BASE BUILD
- EXHIBITION FIT-OUT
- THERMAL ANALYSIS
- CFD MODELLING
- NATURAL VENTILATION

CLIENT : National Maritime Museum

DESIGNER : Casson Mann

VALUE : £1.5m

Natural History Museum

SECTOR > MUSEUMS, GALLERIES & HERITAGE

Back to Sectors

National Maritime Museum

VIEW PROJECT >

This new permanent gallery in the Grade I Listed National Maritime Museum presents the story of the Royal Navy and the British  people.....

RSPB Sherwood Forest

VIEW PROJECT >

One of the country’s most iconic, natural landmarks, Sherwood Forest, wanted to provide a new visitor centre which would accommodate the.....

V&A

VIEW PROJECT >

The refurbishment of the British Galleries was one of the largest projects undertaken by the V&A. Fifteen galleries in an area of about.....

NHM Hintze Hall

VIEW PROJECT >

Hintze Hall is the cathedral-like entrance to the Natural History Museum. The hall is an exhibit in itself, made up of unique, listed artefacts.....

Museum of London

VIEW PROJECT >

The Capital City project was a 5-year long programme of refurbishment and extension, undertaken in collaboration with a specialist in-house team to.....

Explore projects >>

MUSEUMS, GALLERIES & HERITAGE

Working to the exact demands of the conservation sector brings with it a unique set of challenges. We understand the need to work closely with conservation specialists and other stakeholders to optimise the balance between modernisation and retention.

Our wealth of experience and understanding of the complex issues involved delivering historic buildings enables us to fully appreciate that incorporating modern services can only be successfully achieved by treating historic buildings with the utmost respect. To achieve a great design, clients need a partner who understands the challenges and parallel objectives of these projects. It is only after an intensive period of investigation and research that we will sit down to prepare our collaboratively thought out designs.

Projects

Message
Phone
Email
Name

Thank you!

Your message has been sent. We'll BE IN TOUCH WITH you soon.

The Building Society
55 Whitfield Street
Fitzrovia
London, W1T 4AH

london@svm-bsd.co.uk
020 7377 9007

London

<BACK

1 Weekley Wood Close
Kettering
Northamptonshire
NN14 1UQ

kettering@svm-bsd.co.uk
01536 403304

Kettering

<BACK

Suite 210, Fort Dunlop
Fort Parkway
Birmingham
B24 9FD

birmingham@svm-bsd.co.uk
0121 7493509

Birmingham

<BACK

Chiltern House
184 High Street
Berkhamsted
Hertfordshire, HP4 3AP

sales@svm.co.uk
01442 869369


Berkhamsted

<BACK

Suite D2, Magnetic House
Media Village
Waterfront Quay
Salford Quays, M50 3XW

manchester@svm-bsd.co.uk
0161 872 8383

Manchester

<BACK

Stirling House
Cambridge Innovation Park
Denny End Road
Waterbeach
Cambridge CB25 9PB

cambridge@svm-bsd.co.uk
01223 813438

Cambridge

<BACK

Get in touch via the form below or select one of our regional offices to contact us directly.

 London         Kettering         Birmingham         Berkhamsted         Manchester         Cambridge

Get in touch via the form below or select one of our regional offices to contact us directly.

CONTACT US