As one of the most prominent cultural institutions in the UK capital, London Museum tells the ever-changing story of this great world city and its people, from 450,000 BC to the present day. Having closed the doors to their main site in 2022, the museum’s new home is taking shape inside two of the historic Smithfield Market buildings. Set to open in 2026, this world-class new cultural destination will welcome millions more visitors and showcase much more of London Museum’s collection than ever before.

The museum’s permanent galleries in the formerly derelict Victorian General Market are due to open towards the end of 2026. The 1960s Poultry Market, home to the museum’s temporary exhibitions, collection stores and learning centre, is scheduled to open in 2028. The restoration has included extensive structural upgrades. In the Poultry Market – a former poultry trading venue - HESS TIMBER, a member of the HASSLACHER group, was commissioned to supply and install timber components to replace the existing RAAC (reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete) roof.

The new roof system comprises approximately 300 m³ of cross-laminated timber (CLT), chosen for its high load-bearing capacity, sustainability, and rapid installation. The CLT was manufactured at the HASSLACHER group’s Stall site (NORITEC Holzindustrie GmbH).

Located in the heart of the City of London, near to landmarks such as St. Paul’s Cathedral, the retrofit project posed significant logistical and technical challenges. These stemmed from three interlinked factors: installation, crane logistics, and general site logistics.

Deliveries had to be precisely timed with road closures, allowing immediate installation and swift site clearance. Crane logistics were particularly demanding due to proximity to train stations and underground tunnels, limiting crane types and ground pressure. Temporary foundations were built using smaller cranes to reduce ground load, with four crane positions required and repeatedly relocated.

Roof-level assembly demanded meticulous planning due to restricted access. The team relied on optimized logistics and sequencing to meet daily targets and ensure safe, efficient placement of each element.

The HASSLACHER group proudly delivered a technically and visually compelling timber roof solution, showcasing its expertise in complex urban construction.