Herbert Art Gallery and Museum

The existing Herbert Art Gallery and Museum is located in a prestigious position close to the Coventry Cathedral. The building is owned and run by Coventry City Council as a facility for exhibitions on Coventry City including the heritage and rich history of the area including significant roles through out the industrial age and Second World War.

In addition to this 'Godiva' exhibition there is an art gallery which is used as a facility for local art as well as travelling exhibitions. Being a City Council building it also houses the reading rooms and storage areas for the City archives.

SVM's involvement was to undertake the second and third phases of the complete redevelopment of the site in conjunction with Pringle Richard Sharratt Architects. These phases include the refurbishment of all of the existing exhibition display areas, office and public amenities, plus a large extension providing new gallery space.

The new extension incorporates a two storey glass covered court area as well as two storeys of exhibition space fitted out to international standards, one for the City's History Galleries and one for temporary exhibitions.

The City History Centre also incorporates a library and reading rooms and approximately 2000m2 of archive areas to BS5454.

The specific challenges were to provide low energy solutions to parts of the development whilst meeting the strict environmental requirements of many of the adjoining spaces.

The scheme also includes conservation laboratories and fume cupboards to assist in the conservation of exhibits and removal of toxic contaminants whilst in a clean environment.  The majority of the areas housing art are served via air conditioning systems utilising HEPA filters for removal of target gases.

A series of passive solutions operating in different modes allows this to be achieved.  In particular use is made of the thermal mass of the building to to stabilise conditions in a number of areas including the large archive stores, which are designed to BS5454 standards.

As part of the development the scheme will include a range of facilities such as structured wiring for flexibility in use of interactives within the exhibition space as well as covering staff requirements.

Lifts are being provided allowing the building to fully comply with the Disability Discrimination Act as well as replacement of mechanical and electrical services installations due to changing regulations.