Buxton was appointed to deliver Phase 2 base build works at the Grade II listed Imperial War Museum London on Lambeth Road, supporting the creation of the museum’s landmark Second World War and Holocaust Galleries. The project formed part of a major transformation programme, providing nearly 3,000 square metres of new gallery space. Works included complex structural and services interventions to convert and interconnect former cinema space, existing galleries, back-of-house storage areas, conference facilities and education spaces. A new floor structure was inserted into the former cinema, creating additional exhibition levels and circulation routes. Structural works within the cinema took more than a year to complete and were carried out directly beneath the existing Holocaust Gallery and above the First World War Galleries. Both galleries remained fully open to the public throughout the programme, requiring careful sequencing and temporary works to protect collections and visitors. Extensive temporary building services were installed across the museum to maintain full operation during construction. Alongside the gallery base build, Buxton delivered a range of non-gallery works for Imperial War Museums. This included the creation of new learning spaces, refurbishment of several toilet facilities and upgrades to HVAC services within storage areas. These improvements enhanced visitor facilities and supported the museum’s educational programme. The museum remained open throughout the 97-week programme. Detailed logistics planning and close collaboration with the museum team ensured disruption was kept to an absolute minimum for both visitors and operational staff. The new galleries continue the story begun in IWM’s First World War Galleries, explaining how the world entered a second global conflict just two decades later. IWM became the first museum in the world to house dedicated Second World War and Holocaust Galleries under the same roof, examining their relationship and shared history. The Second World War Gallery presents a complete global narrative of the conflict, from its origins to its conclusion. Importantly, it runs in parallel with the Holocaust story, with the two exhibitions linked by a dramatic double-height space focused around a single artefact connected to both narratives. The Holocaust Gallery traces events from the 1930s through to the Nuremberg trials, concluding with survivor testimonies. Informed by decades of new research, the exhibition is presented in a series of overlapping, softly lit blue spaces designed to encourage reflection. Acoustics were a key part of the brief. The design demanded a clear contrast between the quiet, contemplative Holocaust Gallery and the more dynamic, interactive Second World War Gallery. This was achieved through buffer zones, acoustic partitions and discreet sound-absorbing finishes. Acoustic plaster was applied to ceiling rafts, integrating lighting and services while maintaining clean architectural lines. This focus on sound quality extended beyond the galleries. High-quality conference and hireable spaces were created, offering excellent speech clarity and modern facilities, making them attractive for external events. The project reflects Buxton’s experience working within sensitive heritage environments, managing complex construction above and below live public spaces, and delivering technically demanding schemes while keeping buildings fully operational.