The Royal Institution was founded in 1799 and based in a row of houses designed by John Carr, with a façade added to the front of the terrace in 1838 by Lewis Vulliamy. The rooms behind remained largely in their original layout; they were poorly connected and, by the 1980s, were also run-down and confusing to visiting members of the public. Rodney Melville and Associates were initially tasked with conducting an Impact on Heritage Assessment which influenced the refurbishment plans based upon the Grade I listed status of elements of the building.

TFP were selected as architects for the redevelopment of the Royal Institution which ran from 1999-2008. In the final design circulation was reinvented and the difference between public and private spaces clearly demarcated. The aim was to create clear horizontal and vertical connections and, at the same time, re-allocate what had become a jumble of different functions to logical defined spaces. The result was a ground floor of interconnected public spaces, with a basement level public exhibition space largely focused on the Young Scientists Centre, a first-floor lecture theatre and library suite, whilst third floor offices and laboratories were located on the top floor. The director's flat was changed from the second floor to the fourth floor, replacing the caretaker's flat. The 'Sad' staircase nearer the rear of the building was refurbished and extended to the lower ground floor. Key to the straightforward zoning was provided by a rehabilitated rear courtyard of workshops which formed an atrium and central lift component and was glazed over.

Project Partners:
Engineers: Faber Maunsell
Quantity Surveyors: Wheelers Group