Natural History Museum Waterhouse Gallery
The Waterhouse Gallery, east of Hintze Hall, is the Natural History Museum’s main space for temporary exhibitions such as Wildlife Photographer of the Year. We designed the mechanical and electrical refurbishment that allows the 800m² gallery to host more sophisticated exhibitions.
Our Role
Working with Robert Warren Architects, we reviewed the heat loads within the gallery’s two zones, the main larger gallery and a narrow ancillary gallery, to inform our designs.
Alongside modifications to the existing refurbished air plant, we designed a new chiller and environmental control plant to provide better conditions for exhibits. The ventilation system has mixed-use modes, allowing closer environmental control when needed, or simpler low energy ventilation when conditions are less critical.
We also designed new power and data installations, including a ‘plug and play’ style electrical system.
The Outcome
The plug and play electrical system gives greater flexibility of layout and reduces the time needed to set up and dismantle exhibitions.
The upgraded environmental controls let the museum host more demanding touring and temporary exhibitions while keeping energy use down when full control is not required.
Project Highlights
- Location: South Kensington, London
- Client: Natural History Museum
- Architect: Robert Warren Architects
- Value: £1.5 million
- 800m² temporary exhibition gallery
- New chiller and environmental control plant with mixed-mode ventilation
- ‘Plug and play’ power for faster exhibition changeovers
- Services: Building Services, Sustainability