In 2005 the Durham World Heritage Site was extended to include the Palace Green Library Buildings, these buildings have a long and complex history with a range of buildings built from between c.1450 to 1966. The buildings include the Medieval Exchequer Court, housing rare book collections including those of Martin Routh and of the Sharp family and Bishop John Cosin’s library.
The conveying of World Heritage Site status coincided with the need to plan for the future use of the buildings and the desire to display treasures from the University’s collections in up to date exhibition galleries that meet the strict environmental standards required to preserve valuable exhibits. This upgrading is in line with Durham City and County Council's plan to increase the visitor attractions within the World Heritage Site area.
The project will enable the University to preserve some of its earliest buildings and give them the opportunity to have a valuable public interface in an attractive setting.
The project incorporates, principally, work to both the existing library area, formerly known as the Blomfield Building, to be renamed the Dunelm Gallery, and works to Bishop Cosin’s Library. The other existing library, office and gallery areas are to remain in use by the general public and the University Staff throughout the project, requiring careful attention to access, egress, deliveries and public Health and Safety in a live site environment.
Bishop Cosin’s Library
Built in 1669 the work in the library is of a limited, but vitally important nature. The main objective is to provide suitable environmental conditions for the bookcases and books that have, over the years been subject to fluctuations in temperature and humidity. Prior to work commencing Miller Construction drew up detailed method statements to explain our proposals to protect the existing fixtures and fittings during the refurbishment, these proposals included the protection of the original bookcases and a 16th Century table that was to remain in place during the works, under the instruction of Durham County’s Conservation Officer. We ensured that the client was entirely satisfied with the protection in place prior to works commencing. The inclusion of breathable membranes to the areas to be preserved was important, enabling the existing timber to breathe whilst still being protected.
Existing services were carefully isolated and removed, including wet heating systems. A new electrical heating and controlled lighting system was installed under a strict permit to work system which required approvals from the client to proceed at every stage.
Other works inside the library include the plastering of small affected areas with lime plaster, repairs to existing leaded lights, new decoration and the installation of new UV control blinds to the large library windows.
Miller Construction has appointed Classic Masonry to carry out stone repairs to the Library, replacing severely eroded and damaged stones. Close liaison with David Sparkes at Durham Conservation is vital to ensure the works are carried out correctly.
Dunelm Gallery
Works in the Blomfield Building comprise refurbishment, to create the new Dunelm Gallery for future exhibitions. These works also comprise the creation of an attractive entrance, reception and retail area to complement the Gallery. Externally, minor refurbishment works will create more office and conservation workshop space.
As with Bishop Cosin’s library, Miller Construction installed protection throughout the building to protect existing features. This allowed the library staff to continue to work uninterrupted in the library areas not affected by the refurbishment works. Public access to the recently refurbished Wolfson Gallery, to the first floor, was also maintained throughout the project.
Works within the Dunelm Gallery included the removal of the existing floor and the creation of new service trenches to house the new air conditioning ducts that will ensure that the gallery can operate at the optimum environmental conditions to house future treasures and artefacts. Dust control and vibration monitoring and the careful selection of methodologies are critical to the successful removal of the existing concrete floor slab. The old library was built over a range of stables and as such the trenches had to be built under the old cobbles, which were under the existing concrete slab. The cobbles had to be excavated by Archaeologists. Miller Construction employed ASUD (Archaeology Services University of Durham) to carry out the excavations and liaised closely with them during the tender to ensure adequate time and resource was committed to the works. Measures were also put in place with the project and design teams to limit the risk of any archaeological finds stopping works during any recording that would be required.
The works to the Gallery following the excavation and formation of vent duct trenches included the casting of a new floor, full new mechanical and electrical services, GRG feature ceiling rafts and the installation of a raised access floor with fully removable Amtico floor tiles to allow for unlimited future exhibition flexibility. The new Mechanical and Electrical Services are integral to the scheme and incorporate a new air handling plant which has been formed on a purpose made plant deck situated within the existing internal courtyard. Careful planning and co-ordination between the site team and the Palace Green Security office were required for its construction and installation.
The creation of the new entrance, reception and retail space included internal refurbishment of the space and the demolition of a 15th Century stone wall and a concrete ring beam from the 1960's. The area will benefit from a complete fit out, including reception counter, media walls, retail counters and display walls.
Externally, the presence of a bat roost meant that demolition had to be carefully planned and a clear methodology agreed with the Council’s Ecologist. This resulted in the careful dismantling of the areas by hand, after dusk, when the bats had left the roost.
The scheme holds a number of challenges for our site team who have vast experience working in live site environments. Some of the key challenges are as follows:
- World Heritage Site
- Live Site
- Interface with existing building users and public
- Close liaison with David Sparkes at Durham Council Conservation
- Presence of bats
- Co-ordination of Archaeological excavation works and recording of items
- Vibration and Dust control
- Security
- Protection of existing features and fixtures with breathable membranes
- Isolation and removal of existing building services