Command of the Oceans Project – Building Works.

Descriptions

The project is for the construction of new Visitors facilities for Chatham Historic Dockyard. The building work comprises the construction of a new Visitors entrance and link building in the space between two existing timber framed 18th century buildings – the Mast House & Mould Loft and the Wheelwrights Shop – both of which are Listed Buildings and Scheduled Ancient Monuments. The new link building will have reinforced concrete walls, floors and ramps, will be supported on piled foundations and will have a zinc covered pitched roof. The building will contain two levels connected by ramps; the upper level containing the entrance and ticketing, and the lower level comprising an exhibition and interpretation "undercroft". The first two bays of the Mast House & Mould Loft building, currently containing the Historic Dockyard's Visitors entrance and shop will become gallery, exhibition and orientation spaces. In the three bays of the Wheelwrights, a new steel and timber raised floor will be inserted, half of the area of which will be installed above the insitu archaeological remains of 18th century ship timber (HMS Namur – "The Ship Beneath the Floor"). The Wheelwrights Shop will contain visitors facilities including cafe, shop, toilets, community space and a Discovery Centre.The Historic Dockyard will remain open to Visitors throughout the duration of the project.Further details are contained within the Description Document and Pre-Qualification Questionnaire ("PQQ").