Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 2001-2008 (Creation)
Level of description
Subseries
Extent and medium
70 Boxes, Rolls TBC
Context area
Name of creator
Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Content and structure area
Scope and content
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
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
Separated by large format drawing rolls, and document boxes. Original order imposed by Farrells filing system has been maintained.
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Open with some restrictions: data protection researcher interview may be required. Special Collections staff will provide researchers with further details of these restrictions.
Conditions governing reproduction
Copyright Law Applies
Language of material
- English
Script of material
Language and script notes
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Rolled drawings and plans; paper documents
Finding aids
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Notes area
Alternative identifier(s)
Access points
Subject access points
Place access points
Name access points
Genre access points
Description control area
Description identifier
Institution identifier
Rules and/or conventions used
Status
Draft
Level of detail
Full