The Science Museum

HARD-WEARING OAK FLOORS
AT THE SCIENCE MUSEUM

Junckers solid hardwood flooring has been installed in two galleries at The Science Museum; Technicians: The David Sainsbury Gallery, and the Engineers Gallery. Copenhagen-based design consultancy JAC Studios specified Junckers Oak Boulevard Harmony, a generously proportioned wide board plank floor, introducing a natural element to the large spaces.

Technicians: The David Sainsbury Gallery is a free, interactive gallery for 11–16-year-olds which highlights the crucial but often unseen role of technicians, aiming to change perceptions of technical careers and inspire tomorrow’s technicians. Visitors can go behind the scenes and explore 100 different technician roles, among them advanced manufacturing, creative industries, health science and renewable energy. The museum has collaborated with Marvel Studios, the NHS, the National Grid, the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) and many other organisations to bring the essential role of technicians to life in the gallery.

There are five inter-connected areas, designed as a three -dimensional grid-like structure. Founder and artistic director of JAC Studios Johan Carlsson stated sustainability as a huge factor in the design, with the team opting to only use responsibly sourced wood. With FSC® and PEFC chain of custody certification as well as EPDs, Junckers wooden floors fit the bill perfectly, fulfilling the strict criteria.

Even though the gallery is intended to be a permanent fixture at the museum, the principles of disassembly were applied at the design stage to encourage reuse of materials and make future updates to the gallery easier. The Oak Boulevard flooring can be lifted without damaging the boards and reused or repurposed in a different location.

Junckers flooring has also been installed in The Engineers Gallery where visitors can explore iconic objects such as the first digital camera, a surgical robot arm, an atomic clock that formed the basis for the entire GPS system as well as learn about the remarkable people who invented them. The gallery is divided into four distinct areas, all fitted with Oak Boulevard Harmony. Made in solid hardwood, Oak Boulevard is a durable and long-lasting flooring solution for the museum. It can be sanded and refinished up to ten times and with regular maintenance a design life of 60+ years is easily achieved. Designed for high-traffic areas, the floor provides a hard -wearing surface which is completely smooth, ideal for areas where accessibility is paramount. In addition, all Junckers flooring carry the Danish Indoor Climate label, ensuring specifiers and users there are no harmful chemicals in the flooring that will have an adverse effect on air quality.

The flooring contractor was Hutchison Flooring.

Photo credit: The Science Group