The National Maritime Museum in Greenwich (one of London’s most treasured cultural institutions) has now completed a major roof refurbishment that marks a new chapter for this Grade I listed landmark. Delivered by Willmott Dixon Interiors under a £12 million contract procured through SCAPE, the programme has revitalised the museum’s central court with new high-performance glazing and essential building system upgrades, all while maintaining full sensitivity to the site’s heritage.

What began as a critical technical upgrade has ultimately become a wider transformation of the museum’s most iconic interior space.

 

Image © London Construction Magazine: The central court of the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, seen beneath its expansive glass roof.

A Brighter, Cooler and More Comfortable Central Court

At the heart of the project is the replacement of more than 23,000sq ft of glazing above the museum’s famous central atrium. The previous glass structure had long struggled with solar heat gain, inconsistent temperatures and water ingress, challenges familiar to many older atrium-style constructions.

The newly installed glazing system, now fully operational, has changed the atmosphere inside the court dramatically. During our visit, the benefits were clear:

➜ Natural light fills the space more evenly
➜ Acoustic performance has improved, reducing echo and background noise
➜ Thermal comfort is noticeably better, with a more stable internal temperature
➜ The space feels larger, calmer and more visually connected to the outside environment

This upgrade not only enhances the visitor experience but also protects the museum’s extensive collection with greater environmental stability.

Behind the Scenes: A Full Mechanical and Electrical Renewal

Beyond the new roof, the project delivered a comprehensive refresh of building services that are critical to the museum’s operation. These included:

➜ Servicing and cleaning of chillers, air coolers and AHUs
➜ Replacement of plate heat exchangers
➜ Enhancements to the air-cooling distribution
➜ Servicing of underfloor heating and cooling systems
➜ Full upgrades to electrical lighting, power and data systems

This integrated approach ensures that the building performs as efficiently and reliably as a modern cultural venue should, without compromising its historical character.

Image © London Construction Magazine: Upgraded glass roof at the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, showing the new glazing and structural grid.

A Heritage-Sensitive Approach

Working on a Grade I listed museum of this scale required careful planning and a deep respect for the original fabric of the building. Every intervention had to align with strict heritage regulations, ensuring that the iconic architecture remained intact while integrating 21st-century performance standards.

The result is a roof upgrade that blends seamlessly with the building’s classical exterior, a modern engineering solution hidden elegantly within historic surroundings.

Social Value at the Core

One of the standout aspects of this project was Willmott Dixon Interiors’ commitment to delivering social value alongside construction outcomes. Through SCAPE’s Major Works Framework, the project included:

➜ Career and employability workshops
➜ Work experience placements for local students
➜ Community-focused engagement activities
➜ Collaboration with local supply chain partners

These initiatives reinforce the idea that major public-sector projects should not only enhance buildings but also the lives of the people around them.

A Renewed Landmark Ready for the Next Generation

With the roof now complete, the National Maritime Museum’s central court feels revitalised. The space is brighter, more comfortable and far more welcoming, exactly the type of upgrade a world-class museum deserves.

Visitors walking beneath the new glazing can now experience this historic space in a completely new light, literally and figuratively. What was once a technical challenge has been transformed into a showcase of what sensitive heritage refurbishment can achieve.

This project demonstrates the potential of modern construction techniques to enhance historically significant buildings without erasing their character. It is a blueprint for how London can preserve its heritage while embracing the future.