Completion of Task No. 2: “Modernisation and reconstruction of the Garden Gallery exhibition halls on the upper level of the Palace”.
The most difficult project task has been completed. The idea was to carry out a comprehensive renovation of both palace galleries on the first floor of the Wilanów Palace and to create a new image-based tourism product. The aim was also to provide comprehensive technical security for the premises covered by the project. In November 2019, representatives of the Museum, the General Contractor and the Supervising Engineer signed the implementation protocol.
The investment was necessitated by the poor condition of the roofing structure and corroded glass elements, as well as moisture, damp patches, scratches, cracks perpendicular to the walls and very low thermal insulation parameters – their thorough renovation allowed us to eliminate recurring technical problems, which threatened both the historical exhibits and the palace itself. In addition, the artificial Modernist creation, introduced into the interiors of the palace in the post-war period, was removed.
Above all, thanks to the planned scope of the museum’s work, the 19th-century shape and decoration of the South Gallery was recreated. In addition, a product with a contemporary architectural dimension was created in the North Gallery, while preserving the historical museum solutions. The existing and uncovered wall paintings were restored, the technical structure of the gallery roof was replaced, and the defects associated with the very low insulation parameters of the exhibition spaces and walls of the palace were eliminated. Other effects of the works in the Museum include a significant improvement in lighting, climate and physical security, and other conditions of museum exhibitions. For example, the ventilation, heating, cooling and dehumidification of air will be carried out by means of ventilation and air conditioning units with heat reclamation and full factory automation. On the other hand, the new electrical installation eliminated the fire hazard – the general, evacuation, directional, night and accent lighting systems were replaced. As part of the roof reconstruction, a new heating system for the roof troughs, inlets and rainwater drains has been installed, which will prevent water from freezing and icing over in the winter. Altogether, modernisation and securing works included an area of 647.17 m².
Area subject to renovation and modernisation works by the numbers:
1. South Gallery 218.78 m².
2. North Gallery 222.99 m².
3. South Gallery attic: 104.60 m².
4. North Gallery attic: 100.80 m².
The entire task was carried out in 2018–2019, and the total cost of the works amounted to PLN 10,450,080.
