Ferrey and Mennim were appointed to carry out a full condition survey of the Bowes Museum and then on-going resultant works. The Museum has a remarkable 1869 landmark building in a French Second Empire chateau style on the outskirts of Barnard Castle, Teeside. It has long been one of the foremost museums in the north of England and has an extensive collection of fine art which is displayed in its extremely grand galleries. In addition, there are specialist conservator workshops, archive stores, staff facilities etc. all of which were rigorously inspected.
The condition survey showed a wide range of issues, many of them historic, and we have since been providing advice on repairs to the heating system, environmental controls appropriate to the museum use (e.g. archives, display or staff spaces), guidance on external redecoration, and carried out structural movement investigations. We also undertook survey work on the other buildings within the estate which has allowed us to prioritise the works needed.
