NHM - Head of Masterplanning & Projects

NHM - Head of Masterplanning & Projects

HEAD OF MASTERPLANNING AND PROJECTS

INTRODUCTION

The Natural History Museum – with its vast collection and pioneering research programme – is one of world’s great museums and in a world facing global environmental challenges, it is powerfully placed to engage audiences with the science they need to know and the decisions we need to make. The Museum’s principal purpose is to challenge the way that people think about the natural world – its past, present and future – and this is embedded in the Museum’s big narratives – Origins and evolution, Diversity of Life, and Sustainable futures – which trace a path from the origins of the solar system to the uncertainties of the future, taking in along the way a compelling vista of our planets natural richness. To deliver this purpose the Museum launched a new strategy in early 2015 setting out a five year journey that lays the foundation for two further decades of development. This will transform how the Museum creates scientific knowledge and shares the benefits of scientific research, how the collections are developed and curated for the benefit of future generations and how engaging with science becomes a part of everyone’s lives and integral to the nation’s culture. Underpinning the delivery of the strategy, a Masterplan is being developed and implemented, building on the major achievement of the Darwin Centre, which fundamentally changed how the visiting public engage with the collection and scientific research that had previously been somewhat invisible to the general public. The Masterplan centres around four major refurbishment projects: the Grounds Transformation Project, the Hintze Hall, a new Earth and Planetary Sciences Centre, and opening up the Waterhouse Link Corridor. In addition, a long-term solution for collections storage, supplemented by public access and engagement, is being sought, which may partially take the form of offsite storage. Over three distinct phases, these projects along with several supporting projects, will lay the groundwork for further Museum developments, in particular gallery refurbishments, culminating in a revitalised and workable estate for the Museum. The Museum is seeking to make the key appointment to the post of Head of Masterplanning and Projects to lead the development and implementation of the Masterplan.

Our Vision The Museum’s purpose is to challenge the way people think about the natural world – its past, present and future. We aim to stimulate public debate about humanity’s future and equip our audiences at every level with an understanding of science. That purpose has never been more important or more urgent. Species and ecosystems are being destroyed faster than we can describe them or understand their significance. The very resources on which modern society relies are under threat.

We will use the unique combination of our collection, expertise and public reach to engage people with three big narratives that together underpin an understanding of the natural world an our place in it: Origins and evolution The 4.5 billion year history of our solar system, the Earth and life. Diversity of life Today’s natural diversity across species, habitats and ecosystems Sustainable futures The future of the natural systems on which our society depends

Our Present We provide access to one of themmost important natural history collections in the world. Documenting 4.5 billion years of the solar system and life on Earth, the collection contains more than one million ‘type’ specimens that are used to define species – more than any other natural history collection in the world. We are also home to an extensive library of written and illustrative natural history materials and the collection continues to grow, most recently with the new molecular and digital holdings. The collection’s continuing development along with its unique historical, geographical and taxonomic extent, makes it an immensely powerful took to explore the science of nature. The world’s scientific community draws extensively on the NHM and its expertise. As we enter a new age of scientific discovery, our collection and research are playing an increasingly important role in making new discoveries and testing new theories. Together with the universities, research institutes and museums around the world, we are bringing scientific disciplines together to discover new biological and mineral species, highlight the impact of climate change on natural systems that support life, combat the loss of biodiversity and the spread of diseases, explore new sources of scarce minerals and reveal the evolution of our own and other species. We lead the world in examining the natural world and, with our research partners tackle questions of fundamental importance to science and society. We also provide outstanding education, training and learning opportunities. We host school groups from across the UK and develop teaching and learning materials and experiences to support the national curriculum. At more advanced levels, we train postgraduate students, deliver a wide range of specialist training courses, and play a lead role in major European training programmes. Our diverse and accessible public programmes also successfully engage families and adult learners.

Overall, the NHM inspires people about the natural world across generations and across the globe. Over five million people visit us in London and Tring, Hertfordshire each year. We reach millions more around the world through our touring exhibitions, websites, apps and social media. Through our programme of exhibitions and events, we act as a forum for debate on contemporary challenges to society and the natural world and we pioneer new ways to engage people with the nature, history and science.

THE ESTATE AND THE MASTERPLAN The South Kensington estate that we see today is an amalgamation of ideas and approaches (and sometimes compromises) between architect, manager and scientist. The result was a labour of love for all concerned; the constraints conferred upon the modern Museum by its founders are the accompaniments to a visionary, (if occasionally idiosyncratic) architectural endeavour. Alfred Waterhouse designed in a style that gives the building a monumental feel – indeed the new-Romanesque features and layout prompted many references to a ‘Cathedral of Natural History’. The site today includes a number of late additions to Alfred Waterhouse’s original building of 1873 – 1881. The Masterplan takes a site-wide perspective in its ongoing plan with a view to enhancing the cohesiveness of the site. The significant later additions, such as the Whale Hall (1929 – 1932), the Geological Museum (1929 – 1935) and the more recent Palaeontology building (1973 – 1976) and Darwin Centre (Phase 1 1997 – 2001; Phase 2 2001 – 2010) are predominantly self-contained facilities, connected as extensions to the original building. Waterhouse’s grid-like planning system continues to exert a strong influence on the movement of visitors and arrangement of the collection. Despite the underlying elegance of the main building, and the heritage significance of many of the later additions, the modern day visitor can find it difficult to use the whole Museum and many part are alternately crowded or empty. The next 25 years will witness the transformation of our South Kensington building, At each stage of the transformation we will improve the fabric and infrastructure of our estate to meet the needs of our activities and audiences. We will also invest in systems and technology that make us more effective at managing information and mobilising our >Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10

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