Senate House (Paul Webley Wing), School of Oriental and African Studies

Russell Square, London

The scheme involves several design interventions that allow various facilities to be combined into a single location. A key part of this was a new light-filled atrium in the centre of the listed building, created by excavating the courtyard to basement level and inserting a feature double-curved glass roof at first floor level. This new space brings students and academics together and supports the University’s ambitions for modern, flexible spaces uncompromised by the existing building but whilst respecting its heritage.

Working closely with Historic England, the roof adopts the highest quality detailing to deliver a ‘light touch’ intervention that maximises the visual connection to the surrounding listed building. This is achieved by detailing the primary support beams to follow the curvature of the glazing, utilising structural glass secondary beams and siting columns away from the façade to define a respectful relationship between new and old.

In addition to the new central space, the project delivers over 6,500sqm of refurbished accommodation including a variety of learning and teaching spaces, academic offices and student support services.

Improved inclusive access throughout was achieved by raising the Ground floor level in the North and South wings and the addition of a new lift core to allow access to the lower levels where a new kitchen, cafe and restaurant were incorporated. All existing services were beyond their useful life and replaced, together with the refurbishment of toilet suites, installation of fire lobbies and fire curtains.

The final design balances modern interventions with sensitive refurbishment to complement and articulate Holden’s original design, providing generous social learning environments whilst maintaining SOAS’s dedication to being the guardian of the listed building and safeguarding its future.