News / Bristol Museum

Museum renovations to prevent damaging art

By Alex Seabrook  Wednesday Jun 5, 2024

Bristol Museum & Art Gallery could undergo renovations to prevent damage to some of its precious artwork and artefacts.

Plans for the Grade II*-listed museum on Queen’s Road include replacing roof lanterns and the roof structure of a former office used by natural history staff.

Remedial work to corroded steel will also take place, as well as remedial work to the fine art store.

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Water can currently make its way through the roof of the former natural history office – photo: WH Architects

In planning documents, architects said: “The purpose of this application is predominantly for remedial work to the existing building to prevent further damage to the fabric and potential damage to artwork and artefacts.

“Alongside this, bringing into use an unused and degrading area of the building, the Natural History Office, to be fitted out into a new useable office space for staff of the museum.”

Clifton-based WH Architects‘ heritage, design & access statement adds that the proposed works “are predominantly in order to safeguard the existing building, where excessive water ingress is causing harm to both the structure and the original decorative features”

“Whilst there will be a minimal loss of historic fabric in the internal decorative features, these are currently being damaged by water ingress.”

The proposals “seek to protect and enhance the heritage asset with minimal loss or damage to historic fabric” of the museum – photo: WH Architects

Main photo: WH Architects

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