Building Design Partnership (BDP) - Offices Development - London WC2, King's College London's Strand Campus

Date: 06 Aug 2004

BDP is now on site undertaking a major programme of repair, refurbishment and creative adaptation to a significant part of the Grade I listed King's Building - the original, and focal, building of the King's College London's Strand Campus, adjacent to Somerset House.

The project, known as the South Range project, includes new teaching, academic and social facilities, re-establishing the building as the heart of campus community and forming the first phase of development to one of the most densely populated tertiary facilities in the country.

After competitive interview in 2002, BDP was appointed to complete design proposals and implement the initial phase of the masterplan for the Campus, developed by masterplanning consultants for the College.

Following an appraisal of the masterplan proposals and a strategic review of the 1830s King's Building (designed by Sir Robert Smirke) BDP developed a conservation led strategy, radically different from the earlier masterplan proposals. This resulted in the project budget being redirected to the internal refurbishment of the South Range of the building and corresponding, immediate benefits for the campus community. The revised proposals, which reinstate original spatial qualities and clearly express significant new interventions, have been welcomed by the College for achieving best value, and by heritage organisations for their imaginative yet sympathetic response to this important listed building.

BDP Project Director Tim Leach said "Our proposals encompass a sustainable solution for the building, represent best value for the College, embody sound conservation practice and have been positively received by the planning authorities."

BDP's £22 million commission, including architecture, structural and building services engineering is programmed for completion at the end of 2005, with new facilities available for use in the spring term of 2006. QS and planning supervisor is Clarus Consulting and the main contractor is Bovis.

The project will be open on Saturday 18 September 1- 5pm as part of the London Open House /Open Site weekend.

King's College London's Strand Campus

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