THE VICTORIA & ALBERT MUSEUM (Courtyard)

Case Study

Client: The Victoria & Albert Museum
Architect: A_LA
Consulting Engineers: ARUP
Principal Contractor: Wates Construction
Specialist Contractor: Stonewest
Services Provided: Hard Landscaping

Project Overview

Stonewest were appointed to carry out two key elements of heritage work over a two year period.  The first was to clean, conserve and repair the museum’s facades.  The second was a high specification project in the courtyard which entailed laying 11,000 handmade porcelain tiles.

Grade I* listed Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A) is the world’s largest museum of decorative arts and design, housing a permanent collection of over 2.27 million objects.  From an architectural perspective, it is a peculiar hybrid of Renaissance and medieval.  Construction took place between 1899 and 1909.

Key Successes

  • Design and installation of a stainless-steel drainage system incorporated into the screed.
  • Installation of service and data outlets.
  • High specification screeded bays laid to falls.
  • Movement joints were stainless-steel in 9.5m x 4.0m bays.
  • Laying 1090m2 porcelain tiles, including cutting.
  • Grouting tiles with specialist grouting material.
  • Protection of the finished courtyard to allow the main contract to proceed.
  • Infill redundant vents and door openings with brickwork.
  • Carve out new openings in solid stone for glazed frame fixings.
  • Areas of new marble floor were laid.
  • Cleaning, conservation and repair of external stone brickwork and terracotta and internal marble.

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