British Museum Round Reading Room Roof Oculus Works
This tender closed on 19 October 2026.
- Buyer
- British Museum
- Value
- £9,000,000
- Closed
- 19 October 2026
- Where
- London, London
- Type
- Open tender
In plain English
The British Museum is looking for a specialist contractor to repair and replace the roof of the historic Round Reading Room, a Grade I listed building from 1857. The work includes fixing the flat perimeter roof, repairing the copper dome, replacing the glazed central lantern, and upgrading access and building systems.
What the buyer wants
• Remove and replace the flat roof membrane and insulation with a new warm roof system and liquid waterproofing • Survey, conserve and repair the copper dome using heritage-accredited specialists, including copper panel replacement and flashing repairs • Remove and replace the entire glazed lantern with a new bespoke steel glazing system, and repair external windows and internal sashes • Design and install a complex cable-restrained scaffold system and temporary roof to allow works while keeping the building open to the public • Upgrade permanent access systems, heating, LED lighting and building management system integration
Requirements
What could rule a small business out: This contract will disqualify almost all small businesses because it requires major heritage specialist accreditations, a £9 million budget scale, complex temporary scaffold design, and experience managing works in occupied Grade I listed buildings with public access, collections protection, and strict noise limits. Only established heritage contractors or major construction groups are realistic contenders.
Always check the tender documents.
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