06 COMPLETED PROJECTS
22 GORDON STREET
A NEW HOME FOR THE BARTLETT SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE THAT PROVIDES ITS STUDENTS WITH INSPIRING PERSPECTIVES OF THE CITY
The refurbishment has doubled the amount of teaching and research space, creating a spectacular home for the world’s top place to study architecture.
SAME BUILDING, DOUBLE THE SPACE
The refurbishment of 22 Gordon Street was the first major Transforming UCL project to be completed. To undertake the redevelopment, we moved the Bartlett School of Architecture into a large nearby warehouse for three years. The temporary use of this huge, open space heavily influenced the design of the newly-developed space at 22 Gordon Street. Through redeveloping the former Wates House, we were able to double the amount of space available while working within the building’s existing structure. This enabled the Bartlett to extend its programmes, including the creation of a new MEng in Engineering and Architectural Design, which is delivered jointly with UCL Engineering. Remodelling the interior, we created an enhanced foyer and café, a ground floor exhibition and event space, brand new workshops and a mix of teaching and research areas, including seminar rooms, studios, crit spaces, computer clusters and academic and admin offices. The layout was designed to incorporate inspirational views from key positions within the building and informs the school’s teaching approach. Students begin studying at the top of the building in a studio that gives them a ‘penthouse’ view, then each year they move down through the floors as they progress towards graduation. Breakout spaces on each level of the stairwell encourage interaction and collaboration among students from all years. The new facilities are highly praised by students and academic staff, particularly the ground floor event space, which has full height windows that invite passers-by to peek in and see the students’ work on display during exhibitions. UCL Bartlett School of Architecture is consistently ranked among the top architecture schools worldwide and has around 1,000 students and 134 staff. Providing it with a high quality, low-energy environment for teaching, learning and research, has helped the school to secure first place in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2019.
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