Refurbishment project
The refurbishment of the RSA House - combining respect for its history with confidence in its future
From December to July 2012 parts of the RSA will undergo a long-awaited refurbishment project. The aim is to create a technologically advanced space that is fit for the 21st century, but that remains strongly linked with the RSA’s 18th century architectural heritage of the Adam brothers. This includes works to the Great Room, as well as the ground floor spaces of the John Adam Street houses. As a consequence, these spaces will be closed for the first six months of 2012.
The new design for the Great Room, Benjamin Franklin Room and the ground-floor spaces have been developed in a long and close collaboration between the Fellow-led RSA House Development Committee, Matthew Lloyd Architects and other specialist consultants to ensure that the project’s architecture meets the needs of Fellows, visitors and all those who come into contact with the RSA.
The project will amplify the original appearance of the 18th century building: on the main staircase, for example, the original glass mosaic treads will be revealed. Above the stair, a new lighting feature designed by the winner of a forthcoming design competition, will compliment the original architecture.
The Great Room itself will become a flexible multipurpose space that can be used for seminars, debates, exhibitions, dinners, weddings and other events. It will have a flat floor, as originally, and movable seating that can be arranged to suit different functions. This work will also create new and improved technological facilities for visitors, including the ability to relay events from and to the Great Room, creating real-time links with Fellows and public audiences in the UK and internationally. This will enable more visitors to benefit from the RSA’s free annual events programme, which, with more than 150 events a year, is one of the most exciting in the country.
The ground-floor areas will become clearer to navigate, making them more accessible for visitors of all abilities and incorporating new informal meeting areas and screen-based information about the RSA.
In summary, the project will ensure that the RSA will be strengthened as a platform for ideas, building on its past while positioning it for future growth.
Adjusted routes
To allow us to undertake this work there will be adjusted access routes during this time frame of work. The Vaults restaurant, Gerard bar and Library will continue to function as they presently do. From the 1st January 2012 the Durham Street Strand door will be our main entrance until completion of the works anticipated in June 2012.
RSA House refurbishment project - Follow us on this journey by emailing us.
Refurbishment work underway
Benjamin Franklin room refurbishment complete – April 2012
Floor strengthening in the Great Room - January 2012
Benjamin Franklin room floor removed, exposing the ceiling of the Durham Street Auditorium below - January 2012
Works underway to lay new floor in the Benjamin Franklin room. New ceiling complete - February 2012
Accoustic tiles being applied to the Benjamin Franklin room ceiling - February 2012
Original York stone uncovered at the No. 6 entrance - January 2012
Scaffold tower complete to reach to the Great Room sky light for installation of new air conditioning plant - February 2012
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