A renowned architectural firm shortlisted for this year's RIBA Stirling Prize has announced ambitious plans to completely overhaul the Royal College of Art's iconic Kensington campus with a £90 million ($112 million) transformation project. Witherford Watson Mann Architects, working in partnership with Clementine Blakemore Architects, will undertake a comprehensive renovation of the famous building originally designed by HT Cadbury-Brown and Hugh Casson, carefully balancing heritage conservation with modern educational needs.
The extensive project proposal has undergone thorough consultation with the college community and key local partners, including Westminster City Council and Historic England, according to the RCA. The ambitious scheme aims to create a modern teaching environment that can serve future generations of students while preserving the institution's rich architectural heritage. The renovated facilities will be located in London's prestigious Albertopolis district, home to some of the world's most renowned cultural institutions.
Construction work is scheduled to begin in phases later this year and continue through 2032, allowing the RCA to maintain its teaching and research activities throughout the seven-year renovation period. The comprehensive overhaul will create brand-new teaching and learning spaces, modernize existing studios and workshops, and significantly improve campus accessibility with step-free access throughout the facility. Additionally, the project will open up more areas of the campus to the general public, fostering greater community engagement.
One of the most striking features of the renovation will be the restoration of the historic 1851 Place entrance, which faces the iconic Royal Albert Hall. This reinstated entrance will serve as a dramatic new gateway to the campus, reconnecting the RCA to Exhibition Road's world-famous museums and cultural institutions. The project also includes plans for a new café, gallery spaces, and dedicated event venues designed to encourage greater public participation and engagement with the college's activities.
The renovation scope extends beyond the main campus building to include significant work on the roof and facades of the neighboring Stevens Building in Queens Gate. This additional work is planned for the later phases of the project, beginning in 2027. The comprehensive approach ensures that the entire RCA Kensington site will be modernized and unified under the renovation plan.
RCA President and Vice-Chancellor Christoph Lindner described the project as a major investment in the institution's future. "With the renovation of our historic Kensington site, the RCA will once again operate from two central London campuses – Kensington and Battersea – bringing our community together with a new creative energy, driving cross-disciplinary exploration, with dynamic spaces to innovate, question and discover," Lindner stated.
Despite the substantial £90 million price tag, college officials say the project will generate significant long-term savings through increased energy efficiency and the consolidation of campus operations. The investment is expected to pay dividends through reduced operational costs and improved functionality over the coming decades.
Witherford Watson Mann Architects brings impressive credentials to this project, having won the prestigious RIBA Stirling Prize in 2013 for their innovative work on Astley Castle. That award-winning project for the Landmark Trust skillfully interwove a minimal new structure with the historic ruins of the medieval castle, demonstrating the firm's expertise in blending contemporary design with heritage conservation. Their partner firm, Clementine Blakemore Architects, has been collaborating on this RCA project since the initial competition stage, bringing specialized expertise to the academic environment design.
