Natural History Museum latest phase of works

Avanti Architects has completed the latest phase of repair works on the Grade I-listed Waterhouse Building at the Natural History Museum, South Kensington. This phase has focused on the careful repair and cleaning of the terracotta façade and associated architectural elements, preserving the integrity of Alfred Waterhouse’s seminal design.

In collaboration with an expert project team—including Price & Myers (structural engineers), Catherine Woolfit Associates and Odgers Conservation Consultants (conservation consultants), Collabora Consulting (cost consultancy) and Stace LLP (CDM)—Avanti Architects has led a meticulous, conservation-led approach to the restoration. DBR Limited, specialists in conservation and repair of historic buildings, have delivered the works to programme delivering a range of specialist terracotta and metalwork repairs.

The key architectural repair works included conservation cleaning of the terracotta using a combination of traditional super heated steam techniques and modern laser cleaning technology at scale. DBR deployed 4 laser teams working off the scaffold and inside tented enclosures, focusing on key locations that included the large animals sculptures, projecting gargoyles and sloping cills. Terracotta repair which included reinstating new terracotta teeth to the sabre tooth tiger and delicate grouting of cracked hollow sections of façade columns.

The project also involved the sensitive repair and refurbishment of original metal-framed windows and rainwater goods, reinstating the original ‘invisible green’ color and using environmentally sustainable linseed paint for internal surfaces. An innovative self-supporting, moving scaffold system was deployed, designed to roll across the façade in controlled phases. This approach minimized both visual intrusion and physical impact on the historic fabric, ensuring that the museum could remain fully operational throughout the process.