BECK, a leading restoration and refurbishment fit-out specialist, has announced that it has completed the handover of base build and fit-out works for Energy Revolution: The Adani Green Energy Gallery at the Science Museum in London.
This new free-entry gallery opened to visitors on 26 March and can be found on Level 2 of the West Hall. This location was previously home to the Atmosphere gallery, which debuted more than ten years ago.
Inspiring sustainable solutions
Energy Revolution: The Adani Green Gallery adds to the Science Museum Group’s established public programme on climate change and sustainability. The new gallery looks at how the world may create and utilise energy more sustainably in order to rapidly decarbonise global energy systems and minimise climate change.
Oliver Carpenter, lead curator of Energy Revolution: The Adani Green Energy Gallery at the Science Museum, explains: “This gallery shares contemporary stories of individuals, organisations and communities all imagining the future of low carbon energy, but it also spotlights some of the earliest ideas and technologies created by the imaginations of previous generations.
“By taking a long view of the energy revolution and showcasing impressive technologies of the past, alongside today’s low carbon options, we hope to inspire visitors to imagine a low carbon energy future.”
The gallery imaginatively explores the 21st century’s defining challenge in three parts. Visitors to Future Planet can learn how climate scientists utilise mathematics and complex computer-based models to comprehend our world and discover what these reveal about potential climate futures.
Future Energy highlights technologies—and the people behind them—that are reinventing how energy is currently produced and used. It also includes historic artefacts that provide a longer-term picture of the energy transition away from fossil fuels.
Our Future envisions a new world and showcases children’s imaginative suggestions for how the planet will provide energy in the future, accompanied by comments from experts.
Whole Life Carbon Assessment
A new flooring system to support large objects with a fresh lino finish, large object structural mounts, timber walls, timber plinths, large graphic light boxes, showcases, and redecoration of the existing gallery façade were all part of the package of works. The plinths were made from recycled materials sourced from the museum’s previous storage facility.
Paul Gilling, senior project manager, BECK, says: “Ten years ago BECK created the Information Age gallery at the Science Museum, and it was great to return and work with the museum team once again.
“This project bought its own set of unique challenges, such as, lifting a 6.5-ton tidal blade via the ground floor up onto level 2. And the installation of a 2.5-ton section of the Zero Energy Thermonuclear Assembly (ZETA). All the teams working on this project understood the common goal; to produce an eye catching and informative gallery space for the public to enjoy which I am delighted we have achieved.”
Sustainability and minimising greenhouse gas emissions were top priorities in the creation of this permanent exhibition. The Science Museum tasked BECK, as principal contractor, to complete its first Whole Life Carbon Assessment (WLCA) for a museum project. The project’s design, fabrication, delivery, and installation phases were all subjected to a rigorous examination and extensive data collection.
The firm enlisted the help of Tunley Environmental, who worked with the team to create a comprehensive, customised carbon management programme. This programme managed the collection of data from BECK and the project’s suppliers and subcontractors.
In order to lower transportation-related emissions, BECK engaged key suppliers and subcontractors in the London area and made every effort to acquire building materials locally. It also regularly collected key data, including electricity consumption, the number of staff on site (to estimate water use accurately), transportation activities, and waste disposal and recycling.
BECK’s dedication to sustainability permeated every part of the project and sought to reduce the firm’s greenhouse gas emissions, cut waste, and optimise maintenance of the finished project.
Chris Lawrenson, board director, BECK, comments: “We are proud of BECK’s long-standing history with the Science Museum Group, and it was a honour to be part of the team crafting the brand new Energy Revolution: The Adani Green Energy Gallery.
“We recognise the importance of Sustainability and Carbon Neutrality on a global scale and are proud to have played our part in monitoring and mitigating our carbon impact during the life cycle of the project. Energy Revolution epitomises what can be achieved with a defined goal, clever design and a team that pulls in the same direction. Special thanks to the Science Museum for entrusting us to deliver such an important scheme.”
As part of the client team, BECK has collaborated with Mace Group, Gardiner & Theobald and Unknown Works on this project.
Last year, BECK, together with Cultural Innovations, was selected as the designer and fit-out contractor for the Welcome Center renovation project at the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) along the Red Sea in Saudi Arabia.
