New spaces for four million objects.

Refurbishment and extension of the grade II-listed building in Dorchester's urban conservation area to create a ‘Collections Discovery Centre'. Basement archives rely on innovative passive climate control, while gallery spaces and workrooms use HVAC systems for controlled conditions.

The development created new facilities for display, education, research, and storage at the Museum, expanding opportunities for audiences to explore collections and stories while improving access, research potential, and public engagement. It also supports the local economy, tourism, and museum collecting capacity across Dorset.

The Museum holds around 4 million objects spanning Natural History, Geology, Archaeology, Social History, Costumes and Textiles, Photography, Literature, Fine Art, and Decorative Arts. Among its significant collections are the renowned UNESCO Jurassic Coast geology collection and a Thomas Hardy Archive listed on the UNESCO Memory of the World register. The Museum also features an extensive library, archive, and a dynamic temporary exhibitions programme in collaboration with national and regional partners.

The basement archives employ passive measures to maintain optimal preservation conditions. A highly insulated fabric minimises heat transfer, while high thermal mass materials stabilise temperature fluctuations. Hygroscopic materials regulate humidity, reducing reliance on mechanical systems. Where possible, natural ventilation enhances airflow, further optimising energy efficiency.
Gallery spaces and workrooms benefit from stable temperature and humidity through tailored HVAC systems, with full air conditioning in areas requiring even greater climate control.

Skelly & Couch collaborated with the Museum from the outset to develop an environmental control strategy balancing artefact preservation and operational efficiency. Their approach integrates recent research supporting stable conditions with minimal seasonal variation, mitigating extreme fluctuations to optimise conservation and climate control.
The development enhances public access to the Museum’s collections, deepens research opportunities, and supports the community, and enriches its the cultural and educational experience.

Photographs courtesy of Dorset Museum & Art Gallery ©

Building on the resounding success of UP Projects’ pilot Floating Cinema 2011 project, Morris + Company won the Open Architecture Competition to design the next phase of the acclaimed venture, conceived to offer a permanent lifespan on the water.

The project involved the full refurbishment of all public parts of the BREEAM ‘Very Good’-rated Hall for Cornwall and the creation of a new multi-layered auditorium, which reveals the stunning historic fabric of the building to maintain its core cultural purpose to entertain.

Known as The Lighthouse, the refurbishment and expansion of Holy Trinity Church Swiss Cottage aims to develop a multi-use community beacon on north London’s busy Finchley Road.

The project formed part of the Horniman’s wider ambition to create a better link between the museum and its gardens. The aim of the proposed new community and education building was to create an inspirational learning environment, bringing the learning experience to the outside and therefore maximising the full potential of the existing garden site.

Pioneering £8.6m regeneration of the Horniman Museum and Gardens in Forest Hill, south-east London, designed to highlight the climate emergency.

Hoxton Hall is a Grade II*-listed and very rare surviving Victorian music hall located on bustling Hoxton Street in East London. The building is used as a community arts centre.

Founded in 1975 inside a former Wesleyan Methodist church, Grade II-listed Jacksons Lane Arts Centre has played a key role in the development of London’s fringe and community theatre. The latest project upgrades technical and visitor facilities within the complex, which features a 166-capacity theatre, large-scale studio and café-bar, all of which were in need of repair.

Award-winning new-build for the Jerwood Foundation

A new gallery and restaurant, built in a challenging site on the seafront in Hastings. It incorporates an innovative ground-source heating and cooling system, enabling the building to achieve impressively low emissions for a structure of its kind.

Jerwood Gallery, located in Hastings, East Sussex, is dedicated to contemporary British art and operated by the Jerwood Foundation, a privately funded charity. The new build gallery is part of a wider masterplan to transform a former coach and lorry park on a key seafront site in Hastings Old Town.
Sustainability was central to the design, influencing orientation, layout, materials, and servicing. The galleries maximise natural daylight and ventilation, creating a pleasant and well-lit environment for visitors whilst minimising energy consumption.
Below-ground ducts ensure a seamless design, maintaining floor-to-ceiling levels and concealing services. Solar panels provide most hot water, and rainwater is recycled to further lessen the environmental impact. A comprehensive analysis of renewable energy options, which included evaluating life cycle costs and ongoing maintenance was also undertaken.
To meet stringent temperature and humidity control standards, Skelly & Couch developed an innovative approach to preserve artifacts. The collection galleries utilise air conditioning powered by ground source cooling, with eleven 120-meter-deep probes handling all cooling and 60% of the heating, integrating geothermal energy for effective temperature regulation. This approach resulted in 60% less CO2 emissions compared to an average museum of similar size.
The Jerwood Gallery sets a new benchmark for environmental performance in museum design. It combines energy efficiency with precise climate control, while creating a welcoming space that enhances the overall visitor experience. The project achieved an ‘Exemplar’ rating at design stage using an industry standard Sustainability rating tool. 

Described as a ‘pavilion on the edge of the park’, the Kingston Quaker Centre has a calm and spacious feel. It was designed as a modern, harmonious hub with sustainability at its heart, where Quakers can worship and the wider Kingston community can enjoy its facilities.