The Courthauld Institute, London
The conversion of underground vaults to create a library and teaching rooms.
Somerset House in the Strand is one of the most important and iconic Classical buildings in London. When The Courtauld Institute found a new home within the Strand building, we created the teaching and academic facilities, the lecture theatre and the main library. These were located within the old foundation and warehousing vaults of the lower levels, and 3000 metres of bookshelves, 70 reading spaces and staff desks have been accommodated by introducing new galleries within the vaults. New building services have been carefully threaded through the structure to provide the required facilities and environmental conditions.
