Context 159 - May 2019

C O N T E X T 1 5 9 : M A Y 2 0 1 9 29 Building services Engineers undertook detailed surveys of the existing engineering services to establish how best to approach the proposals while minimising the risk of loss of services and damage to the historic fabric. Although known as a tourist attraction, the cathedral sits at the heart of the religious com- munity, so any interventions had to be mindful of the site’s intended purpose. The events and services had to be minimally impacted through- out the project. An assessment was carried out of how building defects, historic and modern materials, water and moisture, heating regimes, and environment were combining to hasten the decay and failure of historic material. The four key spaces all had different defects, but they had the opportunity to become part of the visitor and user experience, allowing collections of which some were to be shown for the first time. The Refectory Library contains the cathedral’s collection of rare early printed books, housed in the former medieval refectory, which was refitted in the early 18th century. This had become unstable. The environmental conditions, includ- ing humidity, temperature and ultra-violet light, had to be stabilised. These interventions have ensured the protection of the valuable books and manuscripts to be read in the adjacent space, a new Reading Room. The Collections Gallery, where some of the most sensitive artefacts are displayed, now has a close control air-conditioning system. The new systems had to be carefully segregated from the historic building fabric. The conservation team specified passive display cases, incorporating silica gel in mesh bags, to work in conjunction with the environmental controls to achieve target conditions. The gallery showcases precious artefacts in a state-of-the-art gallery, renovated with excep- tionally high levels of environmental control and security. From the Collections Gallery a new stair and lift and opened passageway leads to the Great Kitchen Exhibition space. This required complex archaeology and dismantling of low- significance fabric, giving access to all for all the spaces for the first time. The Monks’ Dormitory, one of England’s most significant medieval halls, dating back to the 14th century, is the country’s last intact dormitory. The historic room, boasting a long oak-beamed roof and large open spaces, pre- sented itself perfectly to become the exhibition space displaying the cathedral’s collection, a narrative interactive exhibit and objects such as Anglo-Saxon stones. A new lift was sensitively designed and installed. New services included heating and lighting systems. The heating system is con- trolled on conservation heating principles, with low temperature hot water supplied to perimeter radiators and finned heating tubes. These are supplemented by locally controlled heating at library desks and staff positions, as it is some- times necessary to reduce the general heating of the room to maintain environmental conditions. The Great Kitchen, also built in the 14th century, is a rare example of a medieval English monastic kitchen. The distinctive octagonal ceil- ing with rib vaults has become the home of the Environmental conditions in the Refectory Library had to be stabilised to protect the cathedral’s collection of rare books and manuscripts