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Rotunda Museum, Scarborough:
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Client: |
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Scarborough
Council |
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Architect: |
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Buttress
Fuller Alsop Williams |
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Structural
Engineer: |
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Alan
Wood and Partners |
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Quantity
Surveyor: |
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Appleyard
and Trew LLP |
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Contract
Period: |
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52
weeks |
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The Rotunda is one of the oldest purpose built museums
in Britain still fulfilling its original role. Overlooking Scarborough’s
South Bay this small, handsome building is an important part of
Britain’s scientific heritage. In May 2006, the Heritage
Lottery Fund awarded just under £2m towards the redevelopment
of the Rotunda Museum as a centre of geology for the region.
William Anelay has been contracted to carry out
some essential external stonemasonry repairs and to cover the
existing dome roof with a new lead covering. The contract includes
the demolition of some internal walls and the building of an extension
to the front of the property. This will provide a new entrance
area, offices and toilet facilities and allow access from the
path to the building at basement level. The existing spiral staircase
will be removed and a new one installed allowing for a lift shaft
in the centre. The museum will be closed during the restoration
and refurbishment period and is expected to re-open in Autumn
2007.

Photograph by Tony Bartholomew
William Smith, dubbed ‘Father of English Geology’
came to Scarborough after his release from debtors’ prison
where the dramatic coastline offered him an area of geological
richness. The Rotunda Museum was built to Smith’s design
suggestion and the original display of fossils illustrated his
ideas.
For more information on the museum, click on the
link below:
www.rotundamuseum.org.uk

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