Construction work

Tender description

Leighton House Museum is undergoing a third and final phase of transformation that involves turning a hidden gem to a National Treasure ensuring access for all and creating a renewed cultural asset. The project aims are to recover and restore the architecture of the original house lost within later additions. The project will provide a new, dedicated drawings gallery as well as creating a dedicated suite of rooms for supporting delivery of learning opportunities for all. A further goal of the scheme is to create flexible orientation spaces for reception, retail, catering and event space. The key proposals of the project are to extend the lower ground floor creating suitably accessible space for gallery, storage and facility space. The Museum will have a new front entrance through the Perrin Wing as to provide step-free access through the house, the step-free access will be achieved throughout the house through removal of the existing fire stair and construction helical stair and lift. The works have been procured under a traditional procurement procedure through the use of OJEU. Four competitive bids were received and analysed by the project team. The form of contract to be place with the winning bidder is a JCT standard building contract with a schedule of amendments. The works can be divided into 4 main sections. The first is the demolition of the 1950's infill beneath the Winter Studio, formation of a new basement beneath the Winter Studio extending into the rear garden and the construction of a new, glazed infill beneath the Winter Studio. The second is to strip out the Perrin Wing and to form new mezzanine and second floor levels to create a new plant room/exhibition space and office space. The third is refurbish aspects of the Historic House, the Perrin Gallery and the Winter Studio thus rationalising existing space and improving exhibition space. Finally, the Museum will benefit from the construction of a new core containing a helical staircase and new passenger lift and the construction of new links between the existing buildings.