This project provides a substantial extension to the museum dedicated to working people. The building originally acted as a hydraulic pumping station providing steam to much of Manchester.The civil and structural works includes:

• A new extension to the existing building to provide archive storage to BS 5454 standard in the basement structure.
• Conservation repairs to the existing "pump house" building. This has involved repair of brick, stonework walls, wrought and cast iron structural elements.
• Refurbishment of the existing rooms, conversion from gallery to offices. Integration of the building services required careful co-ordination with the structure.
• Providing plant room and builders work in connection with the renewal of most of the mechanical and electrical services throughout the existing building. Some of these services are to be stored in the original cast iron water tanks which are to be retained.

The new Corten clad structure comprises two floors of exhibition display; conservation studios; secure archive storage; café; new entrance facilities; shop, bridge links to the existing structure and secure vehicle access into the basement.

The structure has a steel frame over a reinforced concrete basement structure. Being in an area of special interest the design team has had to work closely with Manchester City Council's Archaeological unit and prior to construction, this
unit will undertake excavations to document any historic remains.