The recent upgrade of its central London campus prioritises The Bartlett School of Architecture’s role as an increasingly diverse and public-facing institution. Architecture firm Hawkins\Brown orchestrated a deep retrofit of the school’s home – the former Wates House, built in 1974 under the challenging restrictions of the Bloomsbury Conservation Area – to achieve a hardworking solution to The Bartlett’s chronic shortage of space. The shrewd redesign has respected the original building while transforming the space, expanding it by 3,000 sq m. The original facade was brought up to the site boundary, while two upper floors and a full-height extension were added. A new double-height glazed entrance opens the building up to the public, while inside, concrete has been left raw within the informal areas, and versatile studio spaces have been designed to inspire collaboration. A wood and steel staircase opens up circulation, connecting the old with the new and fusing heritage with future growth.
Left, jacket, £379; blazer, £329; trousers, £165, all by Oliver Spencer. Right, coat, £1,500, by Cerruti 1881. Jacket, £1,580; trousers, price on request, both by Berluti. Top (worn throughout), £55, by AMI.
Photography: Thomas Goldblum. Fashion: Jason Hughes. Writer: Harriet Thorpe. As originally featured in the May 2017 issue of Wallpaper* (W*218)
The Bartlett’s new base
The recent upgrade of its central London campus prioritises The Bartlett School of Architecture’s role as an increasingly diverse and public-facing institution. Architecture firm Hawkins\Brown orchestrated a deep retrofit of the school’s home – the former Wates House, built in 1974 under the challenging restrictions of the Bloomsbury Conservation Area – to achieve a hardworking solution to The Bartlett’s chronic shortage of space. The shrewd redesign has respected the original building while transforming the space, expanding it by 3,000 sq m. The original facade was brought up to the site boundary, while two upper floors and a full-height extension were added. A new double-height glazed entrance opens the building up to the public, while inside, concrete has been left raw within the informal areas, and versatile studio spaces have been designed to inspire collaboration. A wood and steel staircase opens up circulation, connecting the old with the new and fusing heritage with future growth.
Writer: Harriet Thorpe
As originally featured in the May 2017 issue of Wallpaper* (W*218)
Left, coat, £2,360, by Ermenegildo Zegna Couture. Shirt, £235; trousers, £380, both by Ermenegildo Zegna. Socks (worn throughout), £15, by Falke. Shoes (worn throughout), £385, by Lanvin. Right, coat, £1,495; jacket, £595, both by Burberry
Left, jacket, £870; top, £165, both by Emporio Armani. Centre, coat, €1,950; top, £100, both by Dolce & Gabbana. Right, jacket, £3,850; top, £310; trousers, £475, all by Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello
Left, jacket, £4,450, by Pal Zileri. Top, £395; trousers, £385, both by Margaret Howell. Right, shirt, £405; trousers, £490, both by Salvatore Ferragamo
Left, jacket, £690, by Tod’s. Waistcoat; trousers, prices on request, both by Caruso. Right, jacket, £2,045; shirt, £470; top, £335; trousers, £680, all by Lanvin
Far left, jacket, £595, by Gieves & Hawkes. Trousers, £750, by Orazio Luciano. Centre, jacket, £2,700; top, £450; trousers, £480, all by Dior Homme. Shoes, £420, by Lanvin. Far right, jacket, £595; jacket (worn underneath), £345, both by Richard James.
Hair: Alexander Soltermann. Make-up: Maria Comparetto. Fashion assistants: Roberta Pinna, Marina Pamies. Photography assistant: Harry Sloan. Production assistant: Craig Souter. Models: Joby Barrett, Myles Dominique and Dylan Fender at Supa Model Management.
Location: The Bartlett School of Architecture, 22 Gordon Street, London WC1