Central to the building's design are three new, double-height spaces for public programmes and events. The Academy’s interior is indisputably magnificent. Over time, changes to the fabric have always been carried out in an original and dynamic way – from the flowing staircase to the soaring height of the atrium with its spectacular glazed dome, from the iconic Georgian facades to the balconies’ views out onto London’s Embankment and the Mall. Embarking on new work and an intervention into this storied, Grade I-listed site was not something we took lightly.
Making changes to such a historic, listed building is rarely straightforward. However, given the critical role that the building plays in the work and mission of the British Academy, the benefits to upgrade and enhance the site were clear. Originally designed by British architect John Nash, aspects of the Carlton House Terrace properties had been radically remodelled over time, thereby transcending its origins as a set of grand dwellings into a public institution. The roots of the new spatial transformation were developed by thoroughly researching the history of how and where changes had been made in order to establish where new change would be most appropriate and could add new layers of meaning. In other words, the architects were seeking to uncover lost layers of architectural language and discreetly and respectfully insert some of their own, adding to the many chapters of architectural legacies that have been recorded over the centuries of the building’s existence.
In particular, it was important to grasp the complex relationship between original and modified elements, and to ascertain which parts could be subject to further modifications without compromising the building’s essential, historic character. The aim was for the architectural promenade to unfold gradually into the dramatic lower floors, where visitors will be greeted with height and light, new spaces and forms that, while contemporary, are intrinsically in keeping with the original fabric and design language of Nash and his successors.
Innovation in audio visual technology
The post-COVID reality of hybrid events and the importance of digitally capturing and transmitting content has influenced the design of the spaces, requiring the integration of advanced technology and spaces that will accommodate further upgrades in the future. The innovation of the AV design will enable a wider, and truly global, audience to tune in and attend the renowned programmes of the British Academy, thereby attracting new audiences, and enabling the potential for increased exchange, the dissemination of novel ideas and research, and more engaging, multi-dimensional events.
Sustainability
The listed building has resisted and welcomed energy enhancements in equal measure. Whereas the opportunity to add wall insulation was limited, we were successful in gaining permission to replace the windows for double glazing. The new event spaces will also employ air source heat pumps.