No.1 Smithery
Chatham Historic Dockyard
The No.1 Smithery is a Grade II listed Scheduled Ancient Monument, located within the Chatham Historic Dockyard. Built in 1806, the Smithery was previously used for iron working and is one of only three surviving Naval smitheries.
The model ship stores demonstrate our preference for passive environmental control in archives and stores, maximising natural systems while using minimal mechanical servicing.
The building has been maintained and free-standing insertions have been built within the Smithery to provide exhibition space and storage facilities for the Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust’s extensive collection of model ships.
The orientation gallery, which benefits from underfloor heating, is insulated by the glazing separating it from the unheated courtyard. The gallery uses a perforated plasterboard ceiling and high-level acoustic wall panels to give a comfortable acoustic environment suitable for use as both an entrance and to display fixed multimedia installation.
The education room makes use of natural light and ventilation, assisted on warm days by punkah fans.
The permanent exhibition gallery was created within the existing structure, creating contrast between old and modern fabrics.
The new pipework has combined with some exisiting pipework in the services distribution corridor, which here feeds into the ships stores.
The model ship stores use little energy to manage environmental conditions, thanks in part to Celcon blockwork which absorbs moisture.
No.1 Smithery is one project in our continuing story of nearly 50 years of delivering cultural buildings.
For more images of No.1 Smithery visit Max Fordham on Flickr.