Royal Geographical Society
London, United Kingdom 2020–present
Client: Royal Geographical Society Grade II* listed
Caruso St John were commissioned in 2020 to carry out a feasibility study for the renovation of the Headquarters of the Royal Geographical Society (with Institute of British Geographers) in Kensington Gore, on the southern edge of Hyde Park in London. The RGS is the UK’s professional institute for Geography, and is one of the oldest geographical societies in the world. Its role is to promote geography and support geographers, so that the importance of the discipline is widely appreciated through education, research and fieldwork, as well as influencing policy.
The magnificent Grade II* listed building, designed by Richard Norman Shaw and others, has many roles. It is a place for members to meet and socialise, a place of research with its library and accessible collections, and a venue for events, conferences and educational activity. The feasibility study sets out a strategic plan for the renovation and improvement of this important building. A complex set of measures are necessary to better support its activity, as well as to respond to today’s challenges of sustainability, access, decolonisation and social justice in an old building with a significant history. The feasibility study demonstrates how the interior of the building can be transformed to better serve its members, and widen its invitation to new audiences.
Drawings
Site Plan
Ground Floor Plan
Section
Visualisations
Credits
Location
London, United Kingdom
Date
2020–present
Client
Royal Geographical Society
Heritage
Grade II* listed
Area
5,000 m²
Caruso St John Architects
Adam Caruso, Peter St John
Project architect
Fabienne Sommer
Project team
Rod Heyes, Emily Shiga
Structural engineer
Wright Consultants
Services engineer
Laurence Owen Limited
Cost consultant
Real Consulting
Project Manager
Wright Consultants
Photography
Rod Heyes
Christoph Kuhr
Fabienne Sommer
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