RIBA submits plans for new London administration center

In the latest development of this project, RIBA submitted the proposed plans for their new administration center on 76 Portland Place in London, W1.

RIBA appointed the team led by Theis and Khan in a competition last fall to alter and refurbish the historic building into new, modernized office spaces.

Check out some of the drawings and parts of the Design and Access Statement below.

Project description:

"The building is currently the Institute of Physics and is situated next door but one to the current RIBA institute. It was built in 1958 with a ground floor extension added in the mid 1990s and although it is in the Conservation area, it is not listed. The proposed works are largely within the interior of the building with external alterations being made only as necessary for environmental efficiency and improved layout and design."

"Design Proposals
The following are the key changes to the existing building envelope:

Overview:

• Complete refurbishment and alterations of the existing office building to create office spaces and meeting rooms over five floors including first to sixth in the main building and first and second in the mews building.

Ground floor:

• Construction of a new glazed link atrium between the Forum space (existing conference room) and the existing mews building (21 - 22 Bridford Mews). The Forum will allow RIBA members and staff to meet and pick up information with the provision of food and drink.
• Rooflights will be installed in the first floor roof to provide natural light to the Forum at ground floor level.

Front elevation:

• Replacement of existing mirror - filmed glazed units within retained existing frames to front elevation to improve thermal performance.
• Removal of engraved stone name 'The Institute of Physics' over front entrance doors (photo 1 - existing).
• Replacement of existing entrance screen and revolving doors with a new recessed glazed entrance screen and automatic sliding door.

Rear main elevation:

• Existing windows and stone panels to be cleaned and refurbished (photo 2 - existing). Alternate glazed panels to be replaced with a vertical sliding opaque ventilation panel to allow for passive ventilation to the whole building.
• Mews elevation to be re-glazed as necessary and ground floor cycle entrance created. (photo 3 - existing). Internally, fixtures, finishes and services will be stripped out and replaced as necessary."

"Sustainability
The design intention is to make the fabric of the existing building work harder to reduce the reliance on mechanical cooling and ventilation systems and to reduce hea ting requirements. Within the confines of the existing building and services the following elements will be incorporated:

• Retrofit to improve the insulation and air tig htness of the building envelope.
• Daylight maximised with new openings to the first floor roof.
• Front and rear main façades developed to provide natural ventilation.
• The existing thermal mass exposed to stabilize the temperature
• Planting of a 'green'  roof to slow rainwater run-off and provide a 'green' view for staff.
• Are as requiring mechanical ventilation/control contained within basement if workable.
• Primary services located at low level through new floor build-up
• Possible solar panels at roof level "

"Access
76 - 78 Portland Place has excellent public transport links. Nearby Underground stations include Great Portland Street (Circle line), Regent's Park (Bakerloo) and Oxford Circus (Victoria, Central and Jubilee). There are a large number of bus routes and taxi ranks close to the site. There is an existing level access to the main front entrance on Portland Place via a ramp and level threshold. The glazed sliding entrance door will be automatically opened. There are two passenger lifts adjacent to the main entrance hall to access all levels. An accessible WC is situated adjacent to the lifts at ground floor and basement levels. The cycle entrance via Bridford Mews will also have level access from the road to the entrance hall with a passenger lift to enable access to all levels from this point. There is a retained loading bay for deliveries off the mews with level access to the entrance hall and lift access thereafter."

"Amenity
The proposals include the construction of a new glazed link between the existing conference space that will become the Forum and the mews building. Following comments at the pre-planning meeting regarding the extent of glazing to the link on the mews elevation, the windows at high level are now solid facing the mews. The existing planted roof to the conference space will be replaced with a new sedum - type 'green' roof for the visual amenity of staff and neighbours and to slow rainwater run-off. The cycle entrance off Bridford Mews will be used for cyclists and some deliveries during normal working hours only. Following the pre-planning meeting a decision has been taken not to proceed with any extensions at seventh floor level. Therefore a daylight/sunlight will not be necessary as part of the full planning application.

Transportation
There is provision for 20 cycles in a covered lockable storage area together with showers and changing rooms. A loading bay has been retained in one of the existing garage spaces for deliveries"

Images courtesy of RIBA.

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