British Museum's £46m Framework Renewal: A New Era of Modernisation

The British Museum is embarking on a significant renewal of its construction consultancy services framework, valued at £46 million. This four-year deal aims to replace the existing framework established in 2021 and will encompass a wide range of services, including project management, quantity surveying (QS), mechanical and electrical (M&E) engineering, and architecture and interior design.

Among the firms currently on the framework are industry leaders such as Aecom, Gardiner & Theobald (G&T), BDP and Avanti. The renewed framework will support ongoing and project-based work across the museum's Bloomsbury estate, which includes ambitious masterplan projects like the Western Range gallery overhaul and the development of a new energy centre.

Russell Torrance, the museum's director of estates and capital projects, emphasised the importance of having a robust framework of approved supply chain partners. "While the recent focus has been on large-scale competitions, we also require a framework of approved supply chain partners that will take on the critical ongoing work of asset renewal and replacement, building conservation, and modernisation across our estate," he stated.

Firms interested in participating have until 24 March to submit their bids via the Delta portal. The museum's upcoming initiatives include a state-of-the-art collection storage and research facility, the new energy centre, and the revamp of its Western Range galleries. The latter project will be led by architect LG-A, with Purcell as the executive architect and Arup handling M&E and structural engineering.

Additionally, new visitor pavilions are in the works, designed by Studio Weave in collaboration with architect Wright & Wright and Webb Yates Engineers. Aecom will serve as the technical advisor for these projects, ensuring that the British Museum continues to evolve and enhance its historic Bloomsbury site for future generations.

Copyright: London Construction Magazine