Being Brunel – SS Great Britain Visitors Centre

A major redevelopment of a derelict 20th Century building beside Bristol’s Floating Harbour, The new museum provides a place to learn about the success’s, life and times of Isambard Kingdom Brunel. it has been designed to reflect the façade of original buildings that would have flanked the ship as it was constructed in the Dry Dock in 1840. Containing multiple gallery spaces and a mezzanine level, as well as a café It connects to the historic Grade II*-listed Dock Office via a first-floor bridge.

In order to provide a stable environmental condition to the Gallery, interactive area’s and ancillary zones, a very high level of interfacing between the Underfloor Heating, ventilation & specialist systems was required to ensure all environmental conditions were kept constant.

A lengthy testing process was undertaken of all the separate third party services and systems to ensure environmental conditions remained comfortable and optimised at all times.

Although each level of interfacing identified new challenges, the integration of the humidity & air quality control with the heating systems proved a real test as it had to be finely tuned to exacting standards, whilst being responsive enough to the users dictates.