Remaking of Beamish

Overview

As part of a larger project Mason Clark Associates (MCA) completed the design and specification of all the road and drainage development for the museum site. The works covered two areas; the 1950s Village and the 1820s Coach Inn and surrounding buildings. The aim of the overall project was to create true-to-life replica villages that complied with modern safety standards without compromising on the authenticity of the experience for Museum Visitors. The scheme marks a major expansion of the museum site and will take place over the course of a four year development period.

Tasks / challenges

MCA were commissioned directly by Beamish Museum to provide structural and civil engineering services for this ambitious £16M Heritage Lottery funded project to create over 20 replica buildings for the Living Museum, including a Coaching Inn, Cinema, Working Farm Building and a green oak framed windmill.

Activity

Our design services were to improve access and infrastructure, flood risk and long term foul and surface water drainage, alongside design of foundations and superstructures.

The works included putting in roads, drainage and foundations for the police house and surrounding housing and producing a master plan for the levels scheme for the whole 1950s town.

Additionally, for the 1820s area we conducted the level scheme, designed the building layout and structure, putting in the foundation for the Coaching Inn (which included carrying out Vibro Piling treatment), carried out main feed infrastructure for the drainage and ensuring it connected to the wider drainage network underpinning the Beamish site. The work also included the design and implementation of a new surface drainage system which will eventually go into a pond.

To combat the challenges we faced, MCA's engineers responded rapidly to the expanding project brief, adapting our role and services accordingly, collaborated with all project stakeholders to carry out value engineering, ensured that solutions to project challenges were economical and effective, such as utilizing Vibro Piling to stabilise the waterlogged ground; and laying down ground rules for communication and contract review.

Results

MCA engineers worked dynamically and beyond the bounds of their original brief, successfully advising all contract parties on how project challenges could successfully be overcome.

A notable success of the project was effectively minimising the impact on the Museum visitors by effective planning at project onset where a temporary access track for visitors was put in place and delivery times for contractors were strictly enforced.

In the face of project delays and challenges, MCA maintained a positive working relationship with all parties including the client. Our recognition for exceptional service delivery has ensured that future work with this client is in discussion for future projects.