Subseries TF.2.2.1.RI - Royal Institution

Identity area

Reference code

TF.2.2.1.RI

Title

Royal Institution

Date(s)

  • 2001-2008 (Creation)

Level of description

Subseries

Extent and medium

70 Boxes, Rolls TBC

Context area

Name of creator

(1980-)

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

Related descriptions

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

Dates of creation revision deletion

Language(s)

Script(s)

Sources

Accession area

Related subjects

Related people and organizations

Related genres

Related places