A Lasting Partnership with Tate St Ives: Scaffolding the Foundations of Art
Since 1997, we have been proud to serve as the longstanding scaffolding partner to Tate St Ives, a relationship rooted in mutual trust, technical expertise, and a shared vision for preserving and expanding one of Cornwall’s most iconic cultural landmarks. Our collaboration, which began just four years after the Tate first opened its doors in 1993, has seen us involved in nearly every significant renovation and construction project the gallery has undertaken over the past three decades.
Our in-depth familiarity with the unique architectural and geographical challenges of the site has allowed us to deploy bespoke scaffolding solutions rapidly and efficiently—whether for delicate interior refurbishments, external painting and decorating, or large-scale structural expansions. Notably, our work has been continuous since the ambitious 2015t refurbishment, which nearly doubled the gallery’s size by adding an additional 1,320 square metres of space, setting the tone for what has become a site of architectural excellence on the Cornish coast.
The 2015 expansion of Tate St Ives, led by Jamie Fobert Architects in partnership with BAM Construction, marked a new era for the gallery. This major extension, dramatically built into the cliffs overlooking Porthmeor Beach, was designed to harness natural light through a column-free space lit by six striking skylights. Our scaffolding systems were instrumental in facilitating this complex build, providing access for the construction of both the roof structure and the elegant rooftop pavilion that now crowns the gallery.
To accommodate the sloping ground and intricate access requirements of the build, we erected a five-lift scaffold for the staircase construction—a project that required a sustained on-site presence over a 10-week period. Additional scaffolding was also installed to provide safe access to the lower-level areas, while a Rock Catch Scaffold was implemented to mitigate risks associated with the excavation and construction close to the cliff face.
Throughout the 2014–2017 construction phase, which saw BAM remove over 1,000 cubic metres of Blue Elvan rock and carry out significant temporary works, our team remained embedded in the evolving site, supporting the extension of key retaining walls and ensuring safe, reliable access across all operational zones.
Beyond the structural, we’ve also played a vital role in the ongoing care and conservation of the gallery’s collection and sculpture gardens. For example, in April 2023, we provided a bespoke independent scaffold—measuring 4290 x 1990 x 2295mm—around one of the gallery’s large-scale outdoor sculptures by Barbara Hepworth. The scaffold, specifically designed for cleaning works, featured a head-height platform to allow full access around the piece, while being screened with 90% shade factor, flame-retardant black netting to meet conservation and safety requirements.
We’ve also supported a number of smaller yet equally important projects, including access scaffolds for replastering works, installation of alarm-secured scaffolding systems through UBX Security, and tailored platforms for intricate painting tasks—such as a 5-metre-long change painting project that required two full lifts of access.
From large-scale structural interventions to sensitive restoration and maintenance tasks, our work with Tate St Ives continues to evolve in tandem with the gallery’s own transformation. It’s a partnership built not just on steel and scaffolding, but on shared purpose: enabling access to art, preserving Cornwall’s creative heritage, and building spaces that inspire.