Opportunity Overview
Project Overview
The British Museum is seeking to appoint a Principal Contractor for a programme of essential roof repair and replacement works to the Grade I listed Round Reading Room, located at the centre of the Museum.
Building Context and Heritage Significance
The Round Reading Room was designed by Sydney Smirke and completed in 1857. It is a structure of exceptional national heritage significance, combining iron primary construction with brick masonry, a copper-clad dome, and a fully glazed central lantern. The roofscape comprises three elements: a perimeter flat roof known as the Snow Gallery Roof; the copper dome in batten-roll standing seam; and a twenty-sided glazed lantern incorporating patent glazing, timber sidelights, and a decorative internal laylight.
Scope of Works
The works span four principal areas:
• Snow Gallery Roof: Removal of an existing membrane and mineral wool flat roof build-up down to the concrete deck. Installation of a warm roof with cold-applied liquid waterproofing membrane, including upstands, penetrations, and new lightning protection.
• Copper Dome Conservation and Repair: Close-quarters condition survey and conservation-led repair from temporary scaffold, including localised copper panel replacement, seam and flashing repairs, and full replacement of the lantern base apron. Works must be undertaken by heritage-accredited metal roofing specialists.
• Lantern Glazing, Windows and Refurbishment: Full replacement of the existing patent-glazed lantern atop the dome with a bespoke tiered steel glazing bar system; repair and redecoration of external windows and internal sliding sashes; installation of BMS-linked actuators; and in-situ conservation of the historic internal laylight.
• Maintenance Access and MEP: Upgrade of permanent access provisions including fall-arrest and restraint systems, internal walkway refurbishment, replacement heating, LED lighting, and BMS integration.
The project includes a number of CDP items, including,...
The British Museum is seeking to appoint a Principal Contractor for a programme of essential roof repair and replacement works to the Grade I listed Round Reading Room, located at the centre of the Museum.
Building Context and Heritage Significance
The Round Reading Room was designed by Sydney Smirke and completed in 1857. It is a structure of exceptional national heritage significance, combining iron primary construction with brick masonry, a copper-clad dome, and a fully glazed central lantern. The roofscape comprises three elements: a perimeter flat roof known as the Snow Gallery Roof; the copper dome in batten-roll standing seam; and a twenty-sided glazed lantern incorporating patent glazing, timber sidelights, and a decorative internal laylight.
Scope of Works
The works span four principal areas:
• Snow Gallery Roof: Removal of an existing membrane and mineral wool flat roof build-up down to the concrete deck. Installation of a warm roof with cold-applied liquid waterproofing membrane, including upstands, penetrations, and new lightning protection.
• Copper Dome Conservation and Repair: Close-quarters condition survey and conservation-led repair from temporary scaffold, including localised copper panel replacement, seam and flashing repairs, and full replacement of the lantern base apron. Works must be undertaken by heritage-accredited metal roofing specialists.
• Lantern Glazing, Windows and Refurbishment: Full replacement of the existing patent-glazed lantern atop the dome with a bespoke tiered steel glazing bar system; repair and redecoration of external windows and internal sliding sashes; installation of BMS-linked actuators; and in-situ conservation of the historic internal laylight.
• Maintenance Access and MEP: Upgrade of permanent access provisions including fall-arrest and restraint systems, internal walkway refurbishment, replacement heating, LED lighting, and BMS integration.
The project includes a number of CDP items, including,...
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| Issuing agency | British Museum |
|---|---|
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Category | Government Procurement |
| Estimated value | $11.4M |
| Published | September 24, 2026 |
| Procurement stage | Request for Proposal (RFP) |
| Response due | October 19, 2026 |
| Status | Open — accepting responses |
| Official source | View original notice |
| Last verified | October 11, 2026 |
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: UK Government (Find a Tender).
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