Conserving history
For this unique project, Como redeveloped the Mary Rose Museum to create viewing galleries that provide unrestricted views of the Tudor ship, and bring an important piece of history to life.
Mary Rose Museum Project summary
Client
Mary Rose Trust
Project value
£4.4m
Key partners
Wilkinson Eyre, Perkins+Will, Ridge & Partners, SLW, Ramboll UK
Services provided
Sectors
Locations
UK and Europe, UK - Midlands, south-west England and Wales
Project timeline
- Start date
- October 2015
- End date
- July 2016
Project story
Henry VIII’s favourite warship, the Mary Rose, was raised from the seabed in 1982 and has been undergoing continuous conservation ever since. When the ship reached a stable state in her controlled air-drying stage in 2015, we began working with the Mary Rose Trust and the design team to create new viewing galleries that allow the public to see the ship as never before.
We were tasked with removing the ‘hot box’ - a fully insulated structure surrounding the ship that was used during the conservation process - and installing permanent glazed screens on two levels. An open viewing deck with airlock chambers was created on the upper deck. Strict environmental controls were in place to maintain constant temperature and humidity levels, crucial to conserving the ship.
As the only 16th century warship on display in the world, and an irreplaceable piece of history, we had to adopt innovative ways of working to ensure the artefact remained undamaged.
Project stats
Image Gallery
“Como and its subcontractors worked as a united team to overcome complex sequencing and site logistics while maintaining a precise environment around the Mary Rose. We are delighted with the quality of the fit out, ‘can do’ attitude and attention to detail.”
