Hawking Building, The One Collection
Desco delivered the Mechanical and Electrical services design on the Hawking Building on behalf of the Science Museum Group (SMG). The One Collection project is a new, lightly modified standard industrial warehouse which securely houses and maintains the Science Museums Collection.
The 20,000m² warehouse has been designed to accommodate a minimum of 27,000m² internal space and utilises a mezzanine over a maximum of half the print.
The facility transforms how the SMG manages and shares its internationally significant collection, ensuring historic objects continue to inspire future generations.
The facility can store over 80% of the SMG’s collection, with much of the collection being moved from Blythe House in West London, which was no longer suitable for some of the delicate and valuable collections, as it wasn’t sealed against atmospheric pollutants. The facility includes a storage hall, conservation laboratories, research spaces, photography studios and flexible spaces that can meet the needs of different users.
As the facility was designed for the storage, restoration and maintenance of objects and documents, the internal air quality, temperature, and humidity control requirements were set by the SMG Briefing Document and specific room data briefing documents. The laboratories had strict requirements including lighting levels, power socket requirements, water, and heating system filtration.
The site has several sustainable features including photovoltaics, smart LED lighting, loading bay airlock and limited access points. The photovoltaics cover 50% of the roof, and a battery storage facility was built to store excess energy for use during the hours of darkness. The car park also includes electric car charging points to encourage sustainable transport methods.
Over 300,000 items from the SMG Collection are housed in the new 280,000ft² building. This sustainable, operationally efficient facility has set new standards for collection care and enabled the SMG to share more of its collection online and in cultural institutions across the globe.
The new warehouse is in the northern section of SMG Wroughton. In a previous feasibility study, it was determined that this location took the best advantage of level ground, proximity to services and existing road network.
The facility was designed with public access in mind and is open for public tours and school and research projects.
Photos courtesy of Science Museum Group
Project
Hawking Building, The One Collection
Location
Wiltshire
Value
£22m