National Science Museum

Gerrit Prinssen, Simone Rastelli-Ebcinoglu,
Journalists, Hannover, Germany

The Giant Blue Wing

A striking blue glass façade with “Imera” colored glass by SCHOTT Spezialglas AG, Standort Grünenplan, determines the quality of the light in the latest extension to the National Science Museum in London.

The new wing could hardly be more imposing or in greater contrast to the existing Science Museum complex. Since June 2000 a huge blue glass wing has provided an attractive counterbalance to its baroque façade. The architect responsible for this transparent addition, Charles Colett of MacCormac, Jamieson, Prichard of London, has succeeded in meeting a wide range of very different requirements. The 10,000 square-meter open space contains exhibition areas, an IMAX film theater, plus catering and retail facilities under one vast roof.

In particular the blue glass façade of the Wellcome Wing called for intelligent design combined with expert technical skill. It was essential to cut down the daylight without making the exhibits appear blue, while also retaining the transparency of the glass.

A range of tests were conducted to find the right glass laminate, which could guarantee that the exhibits would not be at risk from exposure to sunlight.

The test phase lasted almost three years, until finally the optimum solution was found. The product chosen was an insulating glass made by the German firm Okalux of Marktheidenfeld. This comprises one pane of clear float glass, an 8 mm thick pane of blue “Imera” colored glass by SCHOTT Spezialglas AG, Standort Grünenplan, and a special reflective louvre system in the air space between the two panes of glass. This solution meets both the design requirements – the light throughout the whole space is very soft and diffused – and it has also proved to be extremely energy-efficient. Optimum control of the daylight by the louvre system saves on heating and lighting costs.

Information coupled with fun

The various exhibits in the new wing cover a broad scientific spectrum from the end of the 20th Century and provide a visionary look into the science of the future.

The Robot Aquarium blends harmoniously with its blue environment. Inspired by the perfection of nature, the specialists developed the Robot Lobster. It has the mobility, sensitivity and stability of a real lobster and is used to defuse old mines in murky waters.

“Mice on morphine”, on the other hand, airs a highly charged medical and sociopolitical topic. An animal protein is presented here, which American scientists plan to make available to human beings in the near future. The special feature of this protein is that it reduces the body‘s tolerance limits to medication, alcohol or other drugs – an active substance can achieve its full effect with only minimal dosages. If only low quantities of a substance have to be taken, its side effects are minimized. This research project could provide a new weapon in the fight against the problem of addiction.