All Seasons and Science Garden - new Thinktank developments

In written evidence to the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee's Eleventh Report ordered to be printed on the 9th October 2007 Thinktank submitted a plea for more dialogue from the government on support for science and science centres such as Thinktank. In the report Thinktank noted plans for:

An outdoor science garden: a unique outdoor, highly interactive environment exploring the science and technology principles that underpin Birmingham's unique heritage.

http://www.parliament.the-stationery-office.co.uk/pa/cm200607/cmselect/cmsctech/903/903we20.htm

Thinktank, Birmingham's museum of science, was opened in 2001 in Millennium Point, Birmingham's Millennium project. It is run as an Independent charitable trust limited by guarantee,number 1061898, and receives an annual grant of £2 million from Birmingham City Council to cover a portion of its day to day costs. In 2006/07 over 280,000 people visited Thinktank and IMAX. Thinktank plays host to material on loan from the City Council's Science and Industry Collection, which is of national importance with 'Designated' status, with the remainder being in store at the Museums Collections Centre in Dolman Street. Thinktank's website can be accessed via http://www.thinktank.ac

Other plans in the Submission to the Science and Technology report includeed:

— A new Changing Planet Gallery: a new collections rich gallery exploring the natural world with content focused on the changing Earth, biodiversity and the impact of our lifestyle choices, will include a new "Science on a Sphere" exhibit, a first for the UK.

http://www.parliament.the-stationery-office.co.uk/pa/cm200607/cmselect/cmsctech/903/903we20.htm

It seems plans are being drawn up for these projects, with Focus Consultants managing the contracting for the schemes, with tenders released on the Official Journal of the EU's Tenders Electronic Daily.

The Thinktank Trust is inviting suitably qualified and experienced Landscape/Exhibition Designer led Multi Disciplinary Design Teams to express an interest in being considered for inclusion on its tender list for the development of a new external interactive Science Garden.
The hard and soft landscaping works for the Science Garden will cost £1 425 000 with a further £850 000 expended on Science Garden Interactives/Exhibits to be housed in the Science Garden.

http://ted.europa.eu/Exec?DataFlow=N_one_doc_access.dfl&Template=TED/N_one_result_detail_curr.htm&docnumber=262909-2008&docId=262909-2008&StatLang=EN

The Thinktank Trust is inviting suitably qualified and experienced Quantity Surveyors/Cost Consultants with a specialism in undertaking exhibition/interpretation works to express an interest in being considered for inclusion on its tender list for the re-display of two Exhibition Galleries, Orientation Spaces, the development of a new Learning Suite, new entrance and visitor facilities (Phase 1) and development of a new external Science Garden (Phase 2).

http://ted.europa.eu/Exec?DataFlow=N_one_doc_access.dfl&Template=TED/N_one_result_detail_curr.htm&docnumber=262911-2008&docId=262911-2008&StatLang=EN

The Thinktank Trust is inviting a suitably qualified and experienced Interior Design Specialist led Multi-Disciplinary Design Team to express an interest in being considered for inclusion on its tender list for the design and administration of approximately £1 400 000 of fit out/remodelling works in respect of the Science for All Seasons project. The fit out/ remodelling works include the development of a learning suite, flexible teaching space, new visitor facilities, a new entrance and upgrades shop and café facilities.

http://ted.europa.eu/Exec?DataFlow=N_one_doc_access.dfl&Template=TED/N_one_result_detail_curr.htm&docnumber=262910-2008&docId=262910-2008&StatLang=EN