THE CHEMISTRY CENTRE, LONDON |
Tuesday 08 May 2012
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The Chemistry Centre, Burlington House, home to the Royal Society of Chemistry - the largest organisation in Europe for advancing the chemical sciences - has been refurbished and improved by Hugh Broughton Architects.
The society, which has 47,000 members worldwide, moved in to its London premises at Burlington House, adjacent to the Royal in 1967. The original building dates from 1867 and is Grade II* listed.
The RSC is instrumental in advancing the chemical sciences through education, publishing, public promotion and policy-making. The focus of the commission has been front-of-house facilities to accommodate increased visitor numbers following the refurbishment of the library and members room in 2009. The practice adopted a ?light touch? approach, working closely with English Heritage and Westminster Council Planning Department to ensure the elegant integration of new and old. Existing lighting and loose furnishings have been stripped out and replaced with contemporary fixtures and fittings and audiovisual systems that integrate seamlessly within the period interior.
Two former meeting rooms have been restored to the original function as a lecture theatre and reception room, following the relocation of ground floor staff to the RSC Cambridge offices.
The refreshed interiors reflect the innovative and progressive culture of the institution.
Hugh Broughton Architects