In order to create one unified, expanded RA facility, the project involved connecting the RA’s historic home of Burlington House to its neighbouring property, 6 Burlington Gardens, and transforming the latter building into a new suite of gallery spaces, offices, public areas, cafés, shops and a lecture theatre.
The public route that connects the two buildings now takes in the newly refurbished Octagon Corridor, bisects the basement teaching spaces, then rises through an enclosed concrete link bridge.
Along with the internal works, a number of restorations have been made to the front of the building, with 26 statues on the façade of 6 Burlington Gardens returned to their former glory.
A high quality exterior finish was achieved thanks to the use of a silica spray which we sourced through our specialist supply chain partners. Once carefully applied, this spray removed dirt without compromising any stonework details.
Our concrete sandwich wall technology helped to create a building envelope that maximises energy efficiency, durability and performance, all while regulating internal temperatures and humidity. In an England-based construction first, Thermomass® technology was also installed throughout the building.
Completing the project in time for 2018’s RA250 celebrations required both a large number of innovation techniques, and a particularly high level of productivity to ensure they all combined as intended.
To ensure our noise levels were always at acceptable levels, we undertook weekly high-level operational and logistical meetings with members of the local business and residential communities. We additionally engaged with these communities by circulating newsletters and mail drops containing relevant information, routes of access and invitations for questions / feedback.
