The project includes the extension of the Academy into Burlington Gardens and building a new structure linking the two buildings.

The Royal Academy is one of the oldest and most prestigious institutions of its kind in the world. Maintaining its priceless works of arts in the right conditions of temperature, light and humidity, whilst making them available for public display presents a significant challenge to the building services engineers. The contrast between the substantial thermal mass of the stonework of the existing four-hundred-year-old buildings on the North and South sides of the courtyard, and the glass roof which will be constructed to create an external atrium, demands a measure of ingenuity in developing systems which will deploy both elements to optimum effect. By using passive means of temperature control, energy costs will be minimised and the amount of plant required will be reduced - with a consequent saving in both capital costs and space loss.

In addition, there is the issue of revenue. The work must be carried on in such a way as to minimise inconvenience to the viewing public and, in turn, disruption to business. This will call for sophisticated risk management skills. Construction costs are estimated at £26m with overall project viability costs of £45m.

Roger Preston’s project team is led by Geoffrey Palmer who has substantial experience of building services engineering for museum and academic environments. Director, Geoffrey Palmer said, "We are delighted to have won this commission and to be working alongside Michael Hopkins who are responsible for the architectural design and whose work we very much admire. The challenge will be to integrate the systems and architecture to generate passive solutions where possible and achieving conditions suitable for important works of fine art, whilst maintaining an operating building."

For further information, please contact Geoffrey Palmer, director on +44(0)1628 623 423 or at g.palmer@rpreston.com