Unique Circular Access Cover Solution for Museum

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Oct 19, 2014

Architects chose Howe Green to provide a unique circular access cover solution for The Sainsbury Exhibitions Gallery at The World Conservation and Exhibitions Centre (WCEC), part of the British Museum in London.

The WCEC, designed by Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners (RSHP), the architects commissioned to design 3 World Trade Center, is one of the largest redevelopment projects in the British Museum's 260 year history. The $215 million (£135 million) Center includes a new public exhibitions gallery, state-of-the-art laboratories and studios and world class stores for the collections.

RSHP required a reliable access cover solution for the interior scheme to provide a series of service points at regular intervals throughout the gallery's 11,840 sq ft floor area. With aesthetics and performance of equal importance, Howe Green designed and manufactured a circular access cover in 316-grade stainless steel. The bespoke cover offered a stylish and discreet solution, capable of withstanding a 40kn load. Each box section had built-in cable access and voice/data plug-in points and slotted steel lids were made for when in use. The access covers also accepted colored polished concrete inserts made to match the surrounding Ed Lazenby floor and provide an uninterrupted floor finish when required.

The design of the WCEC building, which consists of five pavilions (one of which is submerged below the ground) is sensitive to the British Museum's existing architecture. With Howe Green's reliable and high quality access cover solutions installed this exceptional new facility, along with its historic expositions, will be reliably served by 21st century building services.