United Kingdom

In the first half of 2000, more new museum and art gallery facilities were opened in Britain than at any time in its history. Over £400 million of investment has been made, a high proportion being Heritage Lottery funded.

Rick Mather Architects led the team commissioned to refurbish the gallery and to create a new wing. The new structure provides the gallery with a new visitor facility, incorporating a café, toilets, an education studio and a lecture-cum-exhibition hall.

The current development follows a number of changes to Dulwich Picture Gallery over the years, including bomb damage in World War II. Originally planned by Sir John Soane as part of Dulwich College, it was the first purpose-built gallery in England and is considered to be among the most seminal spaces ever devised for the display of a collection.

STYROFOAM™, the blue rigid, closed-cell, extruded polystyrene board from Dow Construction Products was specified for the job. It is an exceptional insulation material with a high compressive strength, low thermal conductivity, good dimensional stability and excellent water resistance. FLOORMATE™ 200-X was used to insulate the groundbearing concrete floor and ROOFMATE™ RL-X the flat roof.