National Museum of the Royal Navy

 

National Museum of the Royal Navy

We were tasked by the National Museum of the Royal Navy, Portsmouth to review the significance of Grade I, II* and II listed and unlisted structures within Portsmouth Historic Dockyard with a view to converting some of the historic structures to museum use. This included development within an historic mastpond, a Grade I listed and Scheduled Monument, and within the setting of the complex array of historic and modern naval buildings within Portsmouth historic dockyard. We produced a comprehensive conservation plan and supplied extensive design and consents support for a multi-site scheme in the internationally significant historic dockyard at Portsmouth.

We subsequently provided support to the The National Museum of the Royal Navy, which operates within an exceptionally important collection of historic buildings and structures, including HMS Victory and HMS Warrior. As part of the ongoing programme to improve visitor facilities and attractions, we provided advice for three of their structures: the scheduled 17th century mast pond, the Grade II* Victorian No. 6 Boathouse, and the unrestored No. 12 Storehouse.

Our analysis showed how these structures once operated and the pattern of historic circulation and functional flows around the site helped to unlock design solutions – subsequently undertaken by Dannatt Johnson Architects.

We then supported the architects and the Museum in consultation on the proposals, by presenting to and negotiating with the Royal Navy, the Historic Dockyard Trust, Portsmouth City Council, Historic England and the Heritage Fund, culminating in series of listed building and planning applications.

Our Collections Store for the National Museum of the Royal Navy has recently featured in a video on their social media. Its great to hear that the building is working well for the curators and conservators at the museum.

This video shows the new Collections Store at the Museum, completed in 2020.

Client: National Museum of the Royal Navy
Architects: Dannatt Johnson Architects