CLIENT: Brooklands Museum
LOCATION: Weybridge, Surrey
ROLE: Quantity Surveyor
STATUS: Ongoing
HISTORICAL SITE
Bellman Hangar Conservation
& Flight Shed Construction
The Grade II listed Bellman Hangar, originally positioned on the Finishing Straight, was carefully relocated and restored in its correct historic orientation. Alongside it, the new Flight Shed was constructed to accommodate significant aircraft collections, allowing the Hangar itself to be transformed into a fully immersive Aircraft Factory.
Key features include:
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Temporary storage and controlled environmental facilities to safeguard collections throughout the works.
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Lower-floor workshops providing space for volunteer teams and training initiatives.
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Protection and display space for 24 aircraft, including four Benchmark and eight Significant artefacts recognised by the British Aviation Preservation Council.
RETAINING HISTORY
Brooklands Aircraft Factory
& Flight Shed Exhibitions
Within the restored factory building, the team rebuilt the essence of an authentic working environment, tracing aviation manufacturing from early wood-and-fabric aircraft through to the engineering of supersonic airliners.
Exhibition highlights include:
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Major aircraft components, fuselages, wings, cockpits, mounted in jigs as if mid-assembly.
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Engines, undercarriages, avionics, and other components arranged to echo real factory workflows.
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Factory equipment, office artefacts, workers’ personal belongings, and immersive AV installations.
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A Flight Shed showcasing live aircraft, with safe demonstration zones and cockpit access for visitors.
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Interpretation exploring technical innovation, flight testing, certification, and the social history of early aviation.
Finishing Straight & Race Track Interpretation
Following the relocation of the Bellman Hangar, a 60-metre stretch of the historic Finishing Straight—hidden for more than 70 years, was revealed, repaired, and resurfaced. Key sight-lines were restored from the Clubhouse and Paddock to the Members’ Banking, and landmark features such as the scoreboard were faithfully reconstructed to evoke the site’s golden era.
PROJECT OVERVIEW
The Brooklands Aircraft Factory & Flight Shed project brought new life to one of Britain’s most important aviation and motorsport heritage sites. Focused on the conservation, preservation, and interpretation of an original manufacturing building, the scheme reimagines the atmosphere of an active aircraft factory, complete with operational sights, sounds, and hands-on experiences.
A new annexe, the Flight Shed, expands the museum’s ability to showcase historic aircraft, while the restoration of the iconic Finishing Straight of the Brooklands Race Track reconnects the site with its pioneering motoring and aviation past. The project was part-funded by a major capital grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Added Value
IKS supported Brooklands Museum in delivering a complex, multi-layered heritage project that balances conservation integrity with dynamic visitor experience.
Our input included:
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Enhancing interpretation and educational value, supporting a more immersive visitor journey.
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Strengthening long-term heritage stewardship and cultural significance.
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Drawing on specialist funder knowledge (including HLF) to support successful grant outcomes.
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Developing a robust procurement strategy to manage risk across multiple contracts and direct purchases.
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Implementing formal change control using collaborative digital tools, ensuring full cost visibility and informed decision-making throughout.