The Science Museum
Renewal of the Information Age Gallery at London’s Science Museum. The refurbished gallery occupies the largest continuous space in the museum, spanning 145m, and was designed in partnership with many local community groups and stakeholders.
Key features
145m-long viewing platform
A new 145m-long rounded parallelogram bridge – the ‘Whispering Gallery’ – journeys through six ‘story boxes’ and provides views throughout the double-height space.
Continuous ‘spine beam’ supporting the bridge
The bridge is supported by a continuous 350mm square hollow-box ‘spine beam’, with cantilevering box section arms supporting the timber joisted floor.
Discreet additional supports on complex site
The spine beam spans over several support conditions, including stiff UC cantilevers at each end, new staircases, and discreet single-sided support from existing RC columns.
Transferring the load of the bridge
No access was permitted to the gallery below, so the load of the bridge was transferred to the existing RC beams via a braced steel frame within the story boxes.
Collaborative design process
HTS worked with the Museum and wider design team to involve diverse community groups, disability groups, local stakeholders, artists and students in the design of the space.
Awards
