Glass roof restoration for iconic Natural History Museum

Beard Oxford’s conservation team is midway through the first phase of a unique project to restore and clean the iron and glass roof of Oxford’s University Museum of Natural History.

Arguably, one of the most significant examples of Victorian neo-Gothic architecture the building has three impressive glass roofs spanning the main exhibition court below, and made up of some 8,500 diamond shaped glass panes. The painstaking 4-month project, on the first of three roof sections, involves removing and cleaning each pane, repairing any damage before replacing them all with compressible seals to provide the museum with a long lasting solution to its leaking history. At the same time, the team are cleaning the ornate ironwork to restore the iconic roof to its original colour scheme.

A key challenge for the team is to keep the weather out while work progresses to protect valuable exhibits and the building structure. A fully waterproof scaffold deck below the working areas is part of the solution helping to catch any water that comes in and minimising dust and dirt. The priority is to keep the museum open and strong collaboration with museum staff is essential.

Work on the first section of roof is due to be completed at the end of February and if successful, the University plans subsequent phases of work to the remaining two roof sections over the next two years.

Neil Hyatt, Oxford University Estates Directorate, said: “Beard is an excellent choice for this type of technically challenging restoration. Their understanding of our requirements, collaborative approach and wide experience of other museum projects is invaluable.”