Museum project a boost for architect’s workforce

Dec 4 2009 by Chris Knox, The Journal

AN architectural firm in Darlington has been appointed to design a major gallery at one of the region’s most impressive museums, and is now looking to grow its workforce.

Niven Architects will start work on a £450,000 project at The Bowes Museum in Barnard Castle, which will see the creation of a new gallery to display the best of the museum’s collection of British decorative arts.

The scheme, which is due for completion next year, also includes a redesign of the gallery used for temporary exhibits, including a new storage area and a revamp of the first- floor toilets.

Simon Crowe, a director at Niven, said: “The refurbishment is the fourth phase of major improvement works at the museum, some of which we have worked on previously.

“Many visitors will be familiar with the first-floor exhibition galleries. The scheme is a complete refurbishment that includes the latest lighting and heating to provide the best environmental conditions for exhibitions, and to enhance the experience of visitors in the future.

“We are delighted to be working once again with The Bowes and to be involved in the modernisation of the gallery space.”

The development follows a busy period for Niven, which has been involved in a number of large-scale education projects this year.

The firm recently worked on a £2.5m contract to design an extension at Redcar and Cleveland College, as well as a £1.5m project to design student services facilities at Cleveland College of Art and Design.

Like many companies associated with the construction sector, Niven has had to make staff cuts in order to survive the recession, with its workforce shrinking from 20 to 15 over the last two years.

However, it has just added its 16th member of staff and hopes to create more jobs in the new year. Mr Crowe said: “It has been tough for architects and construction firms over the last two years.

“However, there are now a number of projects coming through and we hope to add to our staff as a result.”

Speaking about the planned changes at the Bowes Museum, head of exhibitions Vivien Vallack, said: “The new British decorative arts gallery will give us the chance to display and interpret this varied collection in a completely fresh way, and the improved temporary exhibitions gallery will provide an excellent facility in which to present our ambitious rolling programme of temporary shows.

“Niven Architects have assisted us in the past, not only in their professional capacity, but also as generous sponsors of part of the events programme at the museum, and we look forward to working with them again.”