Wright & Wright’s British Academy Refurb Opens to the Public Featured in AJ

Established in 1902, the British Academy champions the humanities and social sciences, investing in researchers and projects across the UK and overseas through its work as a fellowship. It brings together scholars, government, business and civil society to influence policy.Its historic six-storey headquarters is at 10-11 Carlton House Terrace, overlooking the Mall. It was built in 1931, designed by John Nash as a pair of palatial townhouses. It was later occupied by 19th-century prime minister William Gladstone and served as a hospital for injured officers during the First World War under the occupancy of the Ridley Family. It has been home to the British Academy in 1998.Wright & Wright was commissioned to refurb the building’s heritage spaces so that the academy could become more public-facing. The lower ground floors, historically used for servants and staff before office and storage, have been retrofitted to complement the building’s existing spaces on its upper floors.


Here, the practice has removed mezzanine floors and vaults and dug down to carve out three new double-height and light-filled rooms, adding 469m2 useable space. This has helped increase public event capacity by nearly 50 per cent. The scale of the new spaces has been designed to match those of the building above, yet with a looser, pared-back and modern feel, to provide flexibility for a range of events, both hybrid and in person. A muted material palette of timber and stone provides robustness and unifies the scheme deliberately. ‘Hopefully you don’t see where we’ve been,’ says the architect. Existing lightwells have been used to bring daylight deep into the interiors. This also plays a part in the passive environmental strategy that harnesses the below-ground level to retain heat in winter. The whole building has been decarbonised through the introduction of air-source heat pumps. As part of the building’s envelope overhaul, double glazing has been introduced for the first time in a Grade I-listed setting within The Crown Estate. The project also includes a remodeled and refurbished reception area to create a more accessible arrival, as well as two new rooms for the academy’s fellows, while the historic core has been reinstated to bring back the original views through the building.


The new flexible spaces provide for new modes of presentation. Bespoke AV systems have been installed for hybrid events. There is also now space for the academy to display its unique collection of contemporary British art, including works by Hew Locke, Paula Rego and Yinka Shonibare.The basement has been future-proofed for reorganising if needed. Floor boxes that can take in truss points have been installed. Wright & Wright undertook extensive research of the building before designing its transformation. Over time, alterations to 10-11 Carlton House Terrace have taken place in an organic way. Much of Nash’s work was intentionally retained alongside later additions including a black marble staircase created by Detmar Blow and Fernand Billery in the early 20th century. The British Academy refurbishment follows other recent conservation projects by Wright & Wright, including the Lambeth Palace masterplan, its decade-long library project at St John’s, Oxford, and east London’s Museum of the Home. The British Academy offers many online and in person events, including a new seasonal programme of free public talks, debates, exhibitions and events – one of the few London institutions to do so.


Architect’s view

Working with the British Academy on the reimagination and enhancement of its headquarters has been a journey of discovery, creativity and collaboration. We found the brief as rich and inspiring as they come: to create a forum for public convening and international exchange, fit for the digital age. We have sought to uncover lost layers of architectural language while discreetly and respectfully inserting some of our own, adding to the many chapters of architectural legacies that have been recorded over the centuries at Carlton House Terrace.We are confident the academy will be on a sure footing for the next episode in the organisation’s impressive trajectory, and look forward to the incredible work and research that will incubate in the building and beyond. The new spaces are inherently more adaptable and resilient to future changes, and we hope they continue to inspire the academy and all who engage with its mission. 

Stephen Smith, partner, Wright & Wright



Client’s view

I am delighted that we have now completed the multi-year project to transform our historic headquarters into a public home for the humanities and social sciences. Wright & Wright’s understanding and expertise of both heritage buildings and educational and knowledge institutions have made the practice a natural and trusted partner for this significant undertaking, and we are grateful to them for the tenacity and energy they have brought to the project, as well as to all our donors who have made it possible. We are delighted with the result, which enables us to extend our global reach and radically transform our events offer for a curious public. Our new building is a major stride forward in the academy’s mission to open up the humanities and social sciences for the benefit of all.

Julia Black, president, the British Academy