THE DOME ROOF restoration of Smithfield’s Poultry Market has now been completed, marking a significant milestone in the ongoing transformation of the historic site into a new museum.

A ceremony on 6 December marked the installation of the copper roof’s last sheet circle. The task was carried out by Chris Johnson, 83, who once apprenticed with the original team that constructed the poultry market’s original copper roof in the 1960s. He brought the four-year-long restoration effort to a close.

The copper roof’s repair was completed by specialist roofing subcontractor Full Metal Jacket, operating under the overarching management of Equans, the project’s main contractor.

The contractor’s restoration work follows an international design competition in 2016 which paved the way for the Museum of London’s relocation to the iconic former Smithfield Markets.

The project was designed by Stanton Williams and Asif Khan, working together with conservation architects Julian Harrap. They recast the late Victorian General Market and 1960s Poultry Market to provide a world class museum.

The copper roof of the Poultry Market is a key architectural feature of the build and its restoration has been funded by the City of London Corporation.

Dome Roof Restoration

Originally designed in the early 1960s by TP Bennet & Son architects, the Grade II listed Poultry Market’s dome roof measures 70m by 40m internally and was the largest single-span concrete roof in Europe at the time of its construction.

Restoring the deteriorating copper roof and concrete structure involved a comprehensive assessment of damage and use of modern technologies to enhance the roof’s thermal performance.

Improvements include the replacement of the original 0.5mm copper sheets with more durable 0.7mm ones. The installation of high-performance, double-glazed rooflights will meet the museum’s rigorous requirements.

The ceremony closing the roof work included the re-insertion of an original penny coin, and a newspaper article about the first women in the construction industry, which were discovered under the old crown when it was removed.

Now, the team has added a coin from 1963, (the year the first copper roof was originally completed,) a newly minted coin commemorating the coronation of King Charles III in 2023, and a photograph of the project crew, alongside a recent 2023 newspaper.

Chris Hayward from the City of London Corporation, said: “Cultural institutions like the Museum of London are not just buildings; they are the heartbeat of our city. This significant restoration project reflects our commitment to preserving the soul of the City of London, ensuring that future generations can connect with the rich history embodied in these walls.”

Sharon Ament, Director, Museum of London, said: “It’s fantastic to mark another key moment in the transformation of these remarkable buildings, and celebrate the amazing skill and craftsmanship involved their restoration.”

Smithfield Market, covering almost 10 acres in the heart of the City of London, was once the country’s most important meat and poultry market.

The new London Museum development will save the historic Smithfield site for generations to come. Both the General Market building, which dates back to the Victorian era, and the 1960s Poultry Market building are being carefully restored to ensure that their history and character are celebrated as part of the new museum.

>> Read more of the latest roofing news

The post Dome Roof Restoration Marks Smithfield Market Museum Transformation appeared first on Roofing Today.