Restoration of Rotunda museum in Scarborough

Turner and Townsend has worked with Scarborough Borough Council providing project management services on the GBP4.4m restoration of the Grade II listed Rotunda museum in Scarborough.

The Rotunda restoration forms part of the economic regeneration and cultural rebirth of Scarborough, which has been recognised as the most enterprising place in Yorkshire and Humber winning the Government's regional Enterprising Britain competition 2008.

The Rotunda was originally opened in 1829 as one of the country's first purpose-built museums when Scarborough was a fashionable spa town.

The Rotunda was a strikingly modern structure with a cutting-edge display of geology, a craze then sweeping the country as a result of the work of William Smith, the father of modern geology.

In 2002 the Council embarked on a facelift to restore the museum funded in the main by the Heritage Lottery Fund with donations from the private sector and the European Regional Development Fund.

The exterior stone of the museum had become badly weathered through being so close to the seafront and the interior was shabby and neglected.

Working on this historic and unusual project presented specific challenges and rewards to Turner and Townsend.

The restoration works were delivered under a collaborative contract using a two stage tender approach to enable the earliest involvement of contractors and suppliers in this specialist field.

This approach provided cost certainty for Scarborough Borough Council and enabled Turner and Townsend to deliver the works within budget.

The partnering ethos and the form of contract chosen facilitated and rewarded innovation, on the part of both the contractor and design team.

This was the main factor in being able to minimise delay and deliver the project within programme, ensuring that the pre-determined opening date was achieved.

Throughout the exhibition design, relevant stakeholders were kept informed and their views over the content actively encouraged.

This ensured that the final proposals were in accordance with the vision and expectations of the people ultimately responsible for the marketing and operation of the building.

The project restored the fabric of the original building and has enhanced the visitor experience by the provision of a lift and the construction of a new entrance to the museum through the basement of the original building.

The dome has been restored with extensive stone and lead works to the exterior.

The museum encompasses the Dinosaur Coast project managed by Scarborough Museums Trust to increase access to, and understanding of, the geology of the east coast.

Turner and Townsend's Director, Mike Lumb commented that: "We are pleased to have played a part in the successful renovation of this historic landmark building.

The project makes a significant contribution to the heritage of the region and the UK as well as to the history of geology as a science".

The Rotunda forms part of Turner and Townsend's prestigious portfolio of heritage projects, which in Yorkshire alone has featured the Royal Hall Harrogate, Georgian Theatre in Richmond, Shibden Park in Halifax and the Leeds City Museum.

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