British Academy Transformed, Past Meets Present Featured in Mix Interiors

Wright & Wright Architects has completed a major refurbishment of the British Academy Headquarters in central London – transforming the lower floors of the historic Grade I listed building overlooking The Mall into a digitally-enabled destination for events and public engagement within humanities and social sciences research.

The remodel of the lower floors of the headquarters complements the existing heritage spaces in the building’s upper floors, which together will play host to a seasonal programme of public talks, debates, exhibitions and events. Unburdened by the heritage constraints of the upper floors, the practice removed mezzanine floors and vaults and dug down to carve out three new double-height and light-filled spaces, adding 469 sq m of usable space and increasing event capacity by almost 50%.

Following the remodelling, the building has literally and figuratively been opened up. The newly designed spaces have a looser, more contemporary feel, and provide the British Academy with a flexible backdrop for varied modes of presentation, display and networking. The interplay between new and old sees a robust materials palette – including timber and stone – provide a sense of grandeur that echoes the historic spaces above.

Wright & Wright utilised existing lightwells to draw daylight deep into the subterranean interiors, as part of a passive environmental strategy that harnesses the spaces’ position below ground level to retain heat in winter and avoid summer overheating. Sustainability has been key to the redesign; the practice navigated the most demanding heritage regulations to address the building’s environmental performance, involving an overhaul of the building envelope that has seen the first use of double glazing to date in a Grade I listed setting.

Following the remodelling, the building has literally and figuratively been opened up. The newly designed spaces have a looser, more contemporary feel, and provide the British Academy with a flexible backdrop for varied modes of presentation, display and networking. The interplay between new and old sees a robust materials palette – including timber and stone – provide a sense of grandeur that echoes the historic spaces above.

Wright & Wright utilised existing lightwells to draw daylight deep into the subterranean interiors, as part of a passive environmental strategy that harnesses the spaces’ position below ground level to retain heat in winter and avoid summer overheating. Sustainability has been key to the redesign; the practice navigated the most demanding heritage regulations to address the building’s environmental performance, involving an overhaul of the building envelope that has seen the first use of double glazing to date in a Grade I listed setting.

The project also includes a reimagined reception area to create a more accessible and transparent arrival, as well as creating two new rooms for the Academy’s Fellows – enabling more opportunities for them to work, study and meet.

Flexible business and education spaces can be easily equipped for more agile events and programming, while custom AV systems are designed to serve “an academy without walls” and engage with audiences on a global scale. The new spaces also enable the Academy to showcase more of its unique collection of contemporary British art including works by Hew Locke, Paula Rego and Yinka Shonibare.

“Working with the British Academy on the re-imagination and enhancement of their headquarters has been a journey of discovery, creativity and collaboration. We found the brief as rich and inspiring as they come – to create a forum for public convening and international exchange, fit for the digital age,” says Stephen Smith, partner at Wright & Wright. “The new spaces are inherently more adaptable and resilient to future changes, and we hope they continue to inspire the Academy and all who engage with its mission.”