Brief:
Silverstone Heritage Ltd. approached MAC to assist them in the delivery of its new £20m British motor sport visitor attraction in Northamptonshire, which showcases the history of the circuit – through the war effort and as a racing circuit – and provides a detailed and interactive engineering and motorsport exhibition.
The project aimed to provide a hub for motor sport fans while also serving as a home for the British Racing Drivers Club Archive, where historic artefacts and collections could be displayed to tell the story of the sport.
The firm had spent seven years developing the site which was a former WWII RAF Hanger through the support of The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Key challenges
Approximately 75% through the construction works the main contractor appointed on the scheme entered administration. MAC quickly and effectively negotiated a contractor deal with an alternative Principal contractor to complete the remaining works minimising significant programme issues.
As part of this MAC were required to renegotiate the contracts of the wider supply chain on the project and successfully retained 95% of the sub-contractors ensuring continuity of the works were carried to completion.
The site and construction activities recommenced just four days after the original contractor entered administration.
Results:
The team successfully oversaw the delivery of a new state-of-the-art facility to budget and to schedule and it has since been enjoyed by approximately 400,000 visitors annually.
This was a complex project which included the refurbishment and development of an existing WWII aircraft hangar with an adjoined extension which now houses primary exhibition space with including public atrium space, learning areas, specialist archive areas, offices and staff facilities.
Significant external works were also given consideration during this project to help achieve the client’s goals of a circuit style entrance.
