The Harvard University Graduate School of Design (GSD) is taking up residence at Richard Rogers’ landmarked Wimbledon House in London, which will host the new Richard Rogers fellowship programme, a three-month residency scheme for professionals working across the built environment.
Lord Rogers designed the single storey modernist house in the 1960s for his parents to live in and it has now been restored by Gumuchdjian Architects, and adapted to suit the needs to the Harvard GSD fellowship residents, as well as opening up space for programmed events.
Wimbledon House, gifted to Harvard GSD by Lord Rogers and Ruth Rogers, is an ideal new home for the fellowship, inspired by the architect’s work expanding cross-disciplinarily investigation and social engagement in collaboration with urbanism and architecture. Additionally, the heritage status of the house will now be maintained due to its continued use as a residence.
The fully glazed façade integrates the rooms of the house with the gardens
The design for Wimbledon House was very experimental for its time, following a modular format that would allow for the renewal of technology and developing needs as time passed, while providing a basic adaptable structure. It was a concept that Lord Rogers had begun developing with the Pompidou and later Lloyd’s, and tested out on a smaller residential scale with Wimbledon House.
Restoration was spearheaded by Gumuchdjian Architects – founder Philip Gumuchdjian worked with the Richard Rogers Partnership for 18 years before setting up his own practice, and supported by Paddy Pugh of John McAslan + Partners, who previously worked at English Heritage. The approach to restoring the building focused on maintaining the character of the design, instead of the fabric – three quarters of the envelope had to be replaced due to asbestos.
After several renovations, the two steel and glass pavilions were returned to their 1990 status, which meant the removal of recently added buildings and a refurbishment of the interior. The courtyards and gardens were returned to their original open design with the collaboration of landscape architect Todd Longstaffe-Gowan. The pavilions and the outdoor spaces were conceived by Lord Rogers as the core modules of the design that would remain constant, a concept that has been returned to.
The modernist house will host six fellows a year on three-month-long residencies
Designed in the 1960s, the property was a response to the industrialisation of construction
After several renovations, the interiors were restored to its 1990s look, although the furniture has been updated
The house follows a modular format and was experimental for its age
The approach to restoring the building focused on maintaining the character of the design, instead of the fabric
The house has been adapted to suit the needs of the needs of the research residents
Landscape architect Todd Longstaffe-Gowan responds to the original concept of the house, allowing the interior and exterior to be integrated
INFORMATION
For more information, visit the Havard GSD website (opens in new tab) and the Gumuchdjian Architects website (opens in new tab)
-
Definitive 1990s designer Martine Sitbon to return to Paris Fashion WeekFormer Chloé creative director Martine Sitbon has announced she will return to Paris Fashion Week in March 2023 with a project titled Rev, which draws on her archival designs
-
Louis Barthélemy’s tapestries capture the sublimity and dynamism of Senegalese wrestling
‘Mbër Yi / The Wrestlers’ at the Théodore Monod African Art Museum (IFAN) in Dakar sees French artist Louis Barthélemy respond to Senegalese mysticism in appliquéd hangings
-
Braun and Kith rethink classic clock design
Dieter Rams and Dietrich Lubs’ original 1980s design is given a modern mood in the Kith for Braun BC 17 wall clock
-
Two Hands nursery by vPPR is where design flair meets sustainability
Two Hands nursery in London, designed by vPPR, mixes colourful interiors and sustainable architecture elements with wellbeing in mind
-
SANAA’s Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design is designed to connect with the heart of Jerusalem
SANAA and local studio HQ Architects design new home for Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design in Jerusalem's city centre
-
Connected Rural Classroom reimagines learning space architecture
A collaboration between design studio Kurani and nonprofit Ed Farm reimagines learning spaces through virtual teaching with the Connected Rural Classroom
-
DS+R Prior Performing Arts Center is designed as a public commons
Prior Performing Arts Center by Diller Scofidio + Renfro completes at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts
-
Mérida university architecture draws on the local climate
Ignacio Urquiza Arquitectos completes the new home for the School of Business and Banking, located to the north of Mérida, Mexico
-
Mies van der Rohe rediscovered at Eskenazi School of Art, Architecture + Design
The Eskenazi School Of Art, Architecture + Design headquarters in Indiana, designed by Mies van der Rohe in the 1950s but never realised, has been brought to life by Thomas Phifer and Partners
-
Reimagined Victorian townhouse supports social life at University of Pennsylvania
Deborah Berke Partners has repurposed a Victorian townhouse into the accessible new Meeting and Guest House for the University of Pennsylvania
-
Ibuku’s The Arc at Green School in Bali raises the bamboo roof
Phenomenal bamboo roof defines The Arc at Green School, an impressive education building in Bali designed by local studio Ibuku
