Tender: Round Reading Room Roof and Lantern Repair – British Museum (Grade I listed)

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The British Museum is seeking a Principal Contractor for essential roof repair and replacement works to the Grade I listed Round Reading Room, including removal of the existing Snow Gallery flat roof and installation of a warm roof with cold-applied liquid waterproofing; conservation-led repair and localised replacement of copper dome panels, seam and flashing repairs and full replacement of the lantern base apron by heritage-accredited metal roofing specialists; full replacement of the twenty-sided patent-glazed lantern 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; and upgrades to maintenance access, fall-arrest and restraint systems, internal walkway refurbishment, replacement heating, LED lighting and BMS integration. The works include CDP items such as scaffold and temporary works, tiered patent glazing, access systems and MEP systems, and must be delivered within the Foster+Partners Great Court roof enclosure with no direct external crane access while keeping the Museum open as far as possible; asbestos-containing materials and lead-based paints are present and require safe removal. Procurement is by a single-stage traditional tender under a JCT Standard Building Contract 2024 with Contractor's Design Portion, with contractor selection based on capability, heritage experience and commercial submission, appointment aimed for November 2026, start on site January 2027 and Practical Completion targeted for Q1 2028; access to detailed tender documents requires a confidentiality agreement available via [email protected].