Our work in the arts and culture sector
Since our business was established in 2016 we have been privileged to be involved in some of the UK’s most ground-breaking projects – from huge football stadiums to ultra-sustainable office buildings. However, it’s our growth within the arts and cultural sector following previous project successes that has seen our team build on its industry-leading experience. Here, our director Andy Passingham talks about how we are providing the knowledge and skills to ensure that heritage buildings such as galleries and museums can continue to be safe and accessible for the public well into the future.
In 2023, our OFR colleagues will continue to assist in the delivery of specialist work across the arts and cultural sector with a host of projects underway throughout the UK. Our 115-strong team is advising on fire strategy for a number of landmark buildings – from the TATE in Liverpool to the Royal Observatory Greenwich and the Royal Academy of Arts.
These projects are further demonstrating our strength in working across heritage buildings of cultural significance, as are working on behalf of clients to ensure that these structures maintain the very highest safety standards – protecting not only the future of the actual buildings but importantly, the many people who visit and enjoy them each year.
We were appointed on the TATE Liverpool at the end of 2022, following our previous consultancy at the TATE St Ives. Here we are working as part of the wider project team on the refurbishment of the whole building including adding new stairs and lecture theatres in addition to developing a whole new fire strategy for the building.
At the Royal Observatory Greenwich, we are continuing our relationship with Jamie Fobert Architects following our work together on several projects including TATE St Ives and the National Portrait Gallery. Here we will provide the fire strategies for several interventions around the site, including new underground galleries which are to be located in a challenging hillside location.
Whilst at the Royal Academy of Arts, our team continues to contribute to the redevelopment of artists’ studios in the basement, in addition to providing a retrospective strategy for the whole building.
These projects provide the opportunity to bring our fire engineering expertise to structures that are an important part of our nation’s cultural heritage. We’re extremely proud to be involved in the protection of these iconic buildings and look forward to ensuring that they continue to be accessible for the public well into the future.
