The M Shed refurbishment took a two-storey, steel-framed structure and restored it to create a museum that celebrates the history of Bristol.
The new museum contains 3000m2 of exhibition space in three large galleries, new education rooms, a working train shed, space for volunteers and a new events and conferencing facility.
Arup was commissioned by Bristol City Council to maximise the reuse of the existing 1950s transit shed, retaining a sense of the building's industrial heritage.
A detailed re-evaluation of timber piles dating from the late 1800s by Arup, revealed a reduced requirement to strengthen or add foundations. Most of the existing structure was retained via strategic strengthening and an additional roof-top storey added.
Arup provided structural, facade and fire engineering services to the project, which also resulted in significant carbon savings for the museum.

