British Museum Archaeological Research Collection

Set in a landscape of wildflower meadows, JMP’s design for the new archaeological research facility for the British Museum (BM_ARC) is located adjacent to the University of Reading’s Thames Valley Science Park in Shinfield, Berkshire. The 15,500m² state-of-the-art facility provides space to study, share and conserve objects and works of art from the internationally renowned British Museum’s research collection, specifically sculptures, mosaics and historic casts. The new development is an active and integral part of the British Museum, with a strong focus on global research. Study rooms provide university students, academics, school groups and members of the public with enhanced access to the collection. A dedicated hub facilitates loans from the Museum’s research collection directly to local, national and international venues. 

-

'The new building makes the collection more accessible – allowing us to invite more people in to see and study it. Thousands of object records have been improved. BM_ARC has been specifically designed to make it easier to lend objects internationally, and to encourage new ways of thinking and researching the collection, and that's really inspiring.'
Jane Portal, Acting, Director of Collection