The Cutty Sark is a world famous clipper ship situated in a dry berth in Greenwich London. She is one of three ships in London on the Core Collection of the National Historic Ships Register (the nautical equivalent of a Grade 1 Listed Building). Restoration was necessary to preserve the ship and to become a world-class public space as part of the Greenwich World Heritage site. An integrated package of proposals for addressing issues of conservation, access, learning, interpretation and on going sustainability was developed for the Cutty Sark project. The fully accessible interior Hold Deck  (lower),  Tween  Deck  (middle)  and  Weather  Deck  (upper external) will be presented in its original state. Grimshaw’s innovative design proposes the raising of Cutty Sark by 3m within the dry berth above an enveloping glass canopy, attached along the ship's waterline, which will give year-round protection to visitors in the dry berth and a place for catered events. The principal fire challenges included applying building fire safety provisions, flexibility aspirations of the client, insurers requirements, escape for wheel chair users, structural fire performance, internal fire spread and operational fire safety management.

Client: Royal Museums Greenwich

Architect: Grimshaw