Projects / Dorset County Museum - Dorchester

Dorset County Museum closed its doors at the end of 2018 and moved out all its exhibits in to storage. Main Contractor Acheson Construction Ltd carried out a multi-million pound redevelopment, complete with new galleries, a learning centre, storage for the collections, a library and visitor facilities. Watertite carried out the full mechanical upgrade of all new gallery close control systems, general and natural ventilation systems, boilers and heating systems and domestic water services. The new Museum will become a cultural destination at the heart of Dorset’s community.

Initially over-budget, Watertite collaborated with the main contractor and the client to provide value engineering solutions to reduce cost, whilst ensuring that all necessary design criteria was met. Watertite engaged the design consultancy services of Houghton Greenlees Associates to further develop and collaborate. The result was an affordable scheme, which utilised a Close Control Unit system for the main exhibition gallery.

Natural Ventilation was incorporated in the form of strategically positioned actuator-controlled louvres with LTHW heater batteries. New gas fired boilers were installed to supply UFH Heating laid in the reinforced concrete slab, on the 4 floors of the new build, and radiators in the existing areas.
A basic BMS Control system was installed, in line with the client’s request to keep things simple and user friendly.


Date Completed: March 2021

Design Consultant: - D&B – Collaboration Between In-House & HGA
Project Duration: - 18 Months
Engineers on Site: - 3
Project Value: - £700k

Dorset County Museum - Dorchester

Main Contractor: Acheson Construction Limited

Mechanical Objectives: Install all new systems supplying existing historic buildings and new 4-storey RC extension.

Solution: New gas fired boiler plant was installed as the primary heat source for both LTHW Heating and the Domestic Hot Water Calorifier. UFH was installed in gallery areas that did not require a level of close temperature and humidity control, and a data centre type close control unit was installed in the Temporary Exhibition Gallery, meeting the criteria required to show “loan exhibits” from all over the world.

Natural Ventilation was used where possible and mechanical ventilation in other areas.

User friendly controls were requested by the client and were designed and installed by AK Controls Ltd for Watertite.

Supported By Manufacturers: Warmafloor (GB) Ltd - UFH Specialist, Broag Remeha Boilers, Grundfos Pumps, Mitsubishi Electric, Price Engineered Solutions

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