It may be charged with preserving our past but the Ulster Museum in Belfast was looking to the future yesterday as work continued on its £15 million refit.
As the media got a behind-the-scenes look at the refurbishments there were signs that the massive renovation project – which will transform 5,000 square metres of exhibition space – is beginning to take shape.
The landmark building is a constructi
on site at present but there are clear indications of how it will look when it reopens in the summer of next year.
Amid the dust and scaffolding there are the signs of open spaces, new galleries and an atmospheric home for Takabuti, the resident mummy.
“The construction side is going well,” Tim Cooke, chief executive of National Museums Northern Ireland, said.
“The new roof is almost complete, the building has been stripped back inside and the new layout is taking shape after major structural work.
“Overhead walkways are under construction, the framework for the new Hall of Wonders has been erected and the galleries are being prepared for fit-out.
“The core of the landscaping work to remodel the relationship with Botanic Gardens is also advancing well.”
Famously built from Portland Stone, the original museum building was opened in 1929 on the Stranmillis Road, with the modernist extension added in 1972.
The building closed in October 2006 for work to begin on the current overhaul.
This redevelopment project includes a new entrance and arrivals space – with an impressive new atrium – the transformation of the museum’s history and natural science galleries and a new restaurant.
“The project is on schedule and within budget,” Mr Cooke said.
“We continue to work hard on raising funds in a challenging climate and if more money comes in the next couple of months we will continue to expand the project to make sure we make the most of this opportunity.”
As well as allowing an update of the building from the point of view of access and health and safety, the redesign hopes to make the museum more user-friendly.
“We found that people thought it was an intimidating building so this is also about transforming the museum into a place where they can engage with the exhibits,” Mr Cooke said.
The museum’s 800,000 artefacts have been put into storage in secret locations across Northern Ireland for the duration of the refurbishment.
Valuable pieces from the extensive collections of art, jewellery, silverware and glass – including many of Ulster’s cultural and historical treasures – are in “deep storage”.
During closure an extensive outreach programme is under way, taking exhibitions and collections to schools, libraries, science centres and local museums throughout Northern Ireland.
For more details of Ulster Museum’s outreach programme visit www.nmni.com.
The full article contains 467 words and appears in News Letter newspaper.
