Securing £1.4m in Heritage Funding
MacConvilles was appointed to lead the Museum Estate and Development Fund (MEND) grant application, focusing on critical repairs to the main gallery roof and its prominent roof lantern. Through our strategic leadership, guidance, and technical expertise, we successfully secured £1.4 million in funding from the Arts Council and English Heritage—a vital investment that will protect the museum’s historic fabric and ensure the gallery remains safe, resilient, and welcoming for future generations.
Above the main gallery sit two intricate roof lanterns:
- An internal oak‑framed lantern with faceted glazed lights, visible from the gallery floor.
- An external roof light, exposed to the elements and surrounded by lead and slate roofs, additional glazed lanterns, heritage features, and essential plant equipment.
These structures are central to both the building’s architectural character and its environmental performance. However, age and weathering had made significant refurbishment unavoidable—requiring swift and sensitive action within the tight parameters of the MEND funding cycle.
MacConvilles was tasked with assessing, specifying, and designing essential repairs and refurbishment works. Our approach balanced the need for heritage sensitivity with modern performance improvements.
Key achievements included:
Full Conservation Approval
Our proposals respected the building’s historic significance while meeting regulatory expectations.
Enhanced Thermal Performance
We addressed long‑standing issues of excessive solar gain and potential combustibility, improving comfort and safety throughout the gallery.
Collaborative Structural Solutions
Working closely with Structural Engineers, we established a targeted scope of fabric repairs that would stabilise and future‑proof the existing structure.
Detailed Technical Design
Our Technologists produced comprehensive RIBA Stage 3/4 designs for the replacement of the external roof lantern and all associated works, ensuring clarity, accuracy, and deliverability.
MacConvilles worked with the project team to coordinate the funding submission, conservation requirements, and technical design work, resulting in a successful application for national support to carry out essential repairs to the museum’s main gallery.
If you need assistance preparing or strengthening your own grant application, contact us to see how we can help.
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