News
A new building from existing fabric
15 May 2024Westminster City Council’s planning committee resolved to grant planning permission for the London School of Economics and Political Science’s (LSE) new project at 35 Lincoln’s Inn Fields.
Designed by David Chipperfield Architects 35 Lincoln’s Inn Fields is a direct response to the climate emergency and proposes deep retrofit, with up to 60% of the building being retained as well as striving to achieve BREEAM ‘Outstanding’, WELL ‘Platinum’ and Passivhaus accreditations, whilst allowing for refurbishment and extensions. The approach to this retrofit project has challenged the traditional approach to extensions to buildings in a sensitive heritage context, with key decisions being guided by carbon impacts and not just design.
The new building will house the Firoz Lalji Institute for Africa and has a mission to address global issues. The design incorporates conference facilities, academic and teaching spaces, digital labs, and a 350-seat theatre – The Agora.
Landscaping is incorporated throughout the building and connects to open loggias at the upper level offering views over Lincoln’s Inn Fields and the London skyline. The design also achieves 100% BNG.
Lichfields guided the planning application and also advised on heritage, townscape and public engagement.
This is a groundbreaking transformation project with the highest sustainability ambitions, that will achieve both embodied and operational Net Zero carbon standards and Passivhaus certification. The project pioneers an approach that we believe will soon become standard practice in how we transform our existing building stock for the future.
Alasdair Graham, Director at David Chipperfield Architects
Image credit: David Chipperfield Architects