{"id":757565,"date":"2024-09-26T07:51:42","date_gmt":"2024-09-26T06:51:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.architectsjournal.co.uk\/?p=757565"},"modified":"2024-09-26T09:12:22","modified_gmt":"2024-09-26T08:12:22","slug":"haworth-tompkins-14-5m-transformation-of-walburg-institute-unveiled","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.architectsjournal.co.uk\/buildings\/haworth-tompkins-14-5m-transformation-of-walburg-institute-unveiled","title":{"rendered":"Haworth Tompkins\u2019 \u00a314.5m \u2018transformation\u2019 of Warburg Institute unveiled"},"content":{"rendered":"

Named the \u2018Warburg Renaissance\u2019, the \u00a314.5 million project by Haworth Tompkins, includes the addition of the institute\u2019s first gallery, a 140-seat auditorium and a centre for special collections.<\/p>\n

The Warburg Institute, based in Bloomsbury at the intersection of three squares, is one of the world\u2019s leading centres for the study of art and culture. It was founded in Hamburg by history scholar Aby Warburg. Its scholars, books and images were rescued from Nazi Germany and brought to London in 1933.<\/p>\n

It then joined the University of London in 1944 and is part of the School of Advanced Study. Its library has an expansive system spanning the textual to the visual, the scientific and the spiritual.<\/p>\n

Since 1958, the institute has been housed in the last purpose-built building to be designed by Charles Holden, known for designing more than 40 London tube stations, as part of the university\u2019s original Bloomsbury masterplan.<\/p>\n

Although unlisted, the building\u2019s original \u2018C\u2019-shaped layout and detailing has largely remained untouched. Its fluted timber columns, woodblock and terrazzo floors and glazed screens have been retained where possible.<\/p>\n

Its redevelopment and 330m\u00b2 infill two-storey extension were planned to create a series of spaces to host a public programme, in addition to much needed refurbishment of a building that had seen little upgrade in the past 61 years.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Hinrich Reemtsma auditorium<\/p>\n\t

Source:Fred Howarth<\/p><\/div>\n

One of the key new spaces is the ground floor Kythera gallery, a public-facing cultural hub, created to showcase the institute\u2019s holdings and connect them to international collections for the first time through free exhibitions. This has a steel ceiling grid to allow for suspending demountable panels and track lighting.<\/p>\n

At the centre of the building and infilling a previously empty courtyard, a new auditorium \u2013 named after its funder \u2013 is sited adjacent to the gallery. Lined with wooden panelling, it features a sculptural ellipse in the ceiling, based on Aby Warburg\u2019s original design in Hamburg. Lightwells either side of this separate the auditorium from the ceramic tile clad walls of the courtyard and provide views from the new foyer and existing reading room.<\/p>\n

On the lower ground floor is the Wohl reading room. This space is lit naturally and is dedicated to the study of Warburg\u2019s special collections.<\/p>\n

The institute\u2019s former lecture room has been converted into two new seminar rooms. A sound-proof dividing wall can be removed, creating a space for lectures.<\/p>\n

The Warburg\u2019s unique library, archive and photographic collection explores the histories of the arts and sciences and is the largest globally focused on the afterlife of antiquity and the survival and transmission of culture. It includes items ranging from Einstein\u2019s manuscript explanation of the ellipse to a 1587 book on comets and divination.<\/p>\n

Building on its core collection of books, papers and images exiled to London in the 1930s, the library preserves Warburg\u2019s original system of organisation, with one floor each dedicated to image, word, orientation and action. The institute\u2019s collection of 400,000 images is now the world\u2019s largest archive for the study of iconography.<\/p>\n

\"\"

View of the library<\/p>\n\t

Source:Hufton+Crow<\/p><\/div>\n

The layout of shelving across four floors has been reconfigured to expand stack areas to make space for new acquisitions.<\/p>\n

Other enhancements throughout the existing building incorporate the refurbishment and enlargement of the reception, which features a restored Coade stone frieze of the nine \u2018muses\u2019 of the arts and sciences, in addition to upgraded digital infrastructure and fabric repairs.<\/p>\n

Involving the revival of Holden\u2019s unfinished plan for the site, all existing Holden furniture has been re-used and strip-out materials recycled and reused to retain the worn, historical character of the building\u2019s interiors.<\/p>\n

The project was enabled by the University of London through an investment of \u00a39.5 million in 2016 and a major gift from the Hamburg-based Hermann Reemtsma Stiftung, along with other philanthropists, trusts and foundations.<\/p>\n

Warburg Renaissance is reopening on 2 October 2024, along with its new public programme of exhibitions and events, including its first exhibition, Memory & Migration<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Alongside the Warburg Institute, the University of Library is also undertaking a project to transform its Senate House Library<\/a>. The top floor of the Warburg houses a series of top-lit painting galleries, originally designed as part of the Courtauld Institute, and now occupied by the Slade School of Fine Art. The refurbishment of these spaces was also done by Haworth Tompkins during the construction phase.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Kythera gallery<\/p>\n\t

Source:Hufton+Crow<\/p><\/div>\n

\n

Architects\u2019 views<\/h3>\n

The Warburg Institute is one of London\u2019s greatest hidden treasures, hiding in plain sight within an anonymous 1950s block. Through the Warburg Renaissance project we set out to honour the legacy of both its architect Charles Holden and founder Aby Warburg, while opening its unique contents up to new audiences. Striking a balance between modernisation of the Institute\u2019s publicly accessible aspects, alongside the preservation of its extraordinary character and atmosphere has been a forensic and important process. Its architectural re-birth will allow continued discovery and enjoyment of the collections for many future generations.
\nElizabeth Flower, project architect, Haworth Tompkins<\/em><\/p>\n

It has been a great privilege for us working on the Warburg project, helping to give this unique building a new future; the journey has been long and at times challenging, but the result is testament to the tremendous efforts of everyone involved, who have all connected with the positive energy of the Warburg Institute, its staff and supporters, and the legacy of Aby Warburg.
\nGraham Haworth, consultant, Haworth Tompkins<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

\u00a0<\/span>\"\"<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Clients\u2019 views<\/h3>\n

The Warburg Institute is a creative crucible for scholars, curators and all those whose work sits outside traditional academic structures. The collections, courses and programmes are devoted to studying the movement of culture across time and discipline. The Warburg Renaissance has ensured that the Warburg Institute is secure, vibrant and open to new audiences and future generations. With thanks to the support of the University of London and our generous donors, we can now share Aby Warburg\u2019s vision with the wider world, from a building that feels well and truly reborn.
\nBill Sherman, director, The Warburg Institute<\/em><\/p>\n

The Warburg\u2019s new programme will see the Institute\u2019s collections and unique lens on cultural history encounter the landscape of contemporary arts and ideas at its home in Bloomsbury for the first time. Through the programme, we hope to share the Warburg\u2019s mission to chart the movement of images and culture through time with new audiences and participants.
\nMatthew Harle, curator of artistic programmes, The Warburg Institute<\/em><\/p>\n

There has never been a more important time to support the intrinsic value of the arts and humanities, the transformation will sustain the Warburg\u2019s position of research excellence, activated by new ideas, diverse voices and perspectives, continuing Aby Warburg\u2019s pioneering belief in the importance of visual literacy.
\nJo Fox, pro vice-chancellor, University of London<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

\u00a0<\/span>\"\"<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Project data<\/h3>\n

Competition<\/strong>\u00a0April 2018
\nStart on site (phased)<\/strong> July 2022
\nCompletion<\/strong> August 2024
\nGross internal floor area (excluding the Slade on level 5)<\/strong> 4,930m\u00b2 (existing: 4,600m\u00b2, extension: 330m\u00b2)
\nArchitect<\/strong> Haworth Tompkins
\nClient<\/strong> The Warburg Institute, School of Advanced Study, University of London
\nConstruction cost<\/strong> \u00a314.5 million
\nProject manager<\/strong> Artelia
\nCost consultant<\/strong> Artelia
\nBuilding control<\/strong> Assent
\nStructural engineer<\/strong> Price & Myers
\nServices engineer<\/strong> Skelly & Couch
\nAcoustic consultant<\/strong> Gillieron Scott Acoustic Design
\nSKA assessor (RICS environmental assessment)<\/strong>\u00a0B Sussed
\nFire engineer<\/strong> The Fire Surgery
\nHeritage consultant<\/strong> Alan Baxter
\nMain contractor<\/strong> Quinn Heritage London<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Named the \u2018Warburg Renaissance\u2019, the \u00a314.5 million project by Haworth Tompkins, includes the addition of the institute\u2019s first gallery, a 140-seat auditorium and a centre for special collections. The Warburg Institute, based in Bloomsbury at the intersection of three squares, is one of the world\u2019s leading centres for the study of art and culture. It …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":59337,"featured_media":757580,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_oasis_is_in_workflow":0,"_oasis_original":0,"ep_exclude_from_search":false},"categories":[706],"tags":[3872,1699,1342,75997,101312],"yoast_head":"\nHaworth Tompkins\u2019 \u00a314.5m \u2018transformation\u2019 of Warburg Institute unveiled<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Haworth Tompkins\u2019 refurb creates a 140-seat auditorium, new gallery and extension hosting library rooms for the centre, which is dedicated to the study of art and culture\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.architectsjournal.co.uk\/buildings\/haworth-tompkins-14-5m-transformation-of-walburg-institute-unveiled\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" 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