Focus continues its success within the heritage and culture sector following a recent appointment as project manager and contract administrator for “Nature + Love” – a project at Horniman Museum and Gardens in London.
Focus will project manage the whole scheme from procuring the design team through to completion, as well as supporting the museum on its National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) application.
Working alongside a wider team, including Fielden Fowles, the project’s lead architect, Focus will manage the development of the project to make the Horniman more inclusive and accessible, whilst placing environmental sustainability and a commitment to fighting the climate emergency at its heart.
The “Nature + Love” project looks to; modernise the museum’s natural history and living collections, make new connections between the outdoor space and interior collections plus strengthen the economic, social and ecological recovery of both the museum and its local community.
As a result of the project, visitors will be encouraged to explore parts of the gardens that are currently under-used while learning more about sustainability. It will also increase digital capabilities, develop a range of nature-based partnerships, plus offer new events and attractions such as:
- a Nature Explorers’ Adventure Zone, introducing a nature-themed play area and children’s café, encouraging learning and wellbeing through exploration and play
- a Sustainable Gardening Zone with new plant nursery and sustainable planting displays encouraging improved health and wellbeing
- a redisplayed Natural History Gallery and indoor Nature Explorers’ Action Zone, exploring human understanding of and impact upon the planet, and supporting people to make changes on a local and personal level.
Focus partner, Ellie Clarke said: “We are delighted to be appointed on such a major project which will see the museum build on its long history of environmental action to realise its ambitions, bringing climate issues to a wider audience and cementing its role within the community and beyond. Focus has extensive experience of working on museums and buildings of historic importance as well as advising on sustainability issues. We are delighted to be part of the team undertaking this vital regeneration work.”
Kirsten Walker, Director of Collections Care and Estates at the Horniman Museum and Gardens, said:
“Nature + Love is an exciting and challenging project, redeveloping different areas of our estate, working with multiple contractors and spanning several years. We are very much looking forward to working with Focus, as they bring their skills to bear helping us navigate these complexities and realise our plans.”
Focus, with offices in Nottingham, Leicester and London, is a multi-disciplinary company offering a range of services across different sectors. Focus divides its services into three sections – Create, Deliver and Assess - and offers funding, business planning and economic development through the Create division, and quantity surveying, project management and building surveying through the Deliver department. The firm’s Assess team advises on sustainable buildings, building physics, compliance and planning, and on-site testing.
To find out more about the Horniman Museum and Gardens, visit horniman.ac.uk
To find out more about Focus and the projects the company has been involved in and the services offered visit www.focus-consultants.com