The repair and conversion of two listed Georgian terraces in Bloomsbury into 37 self-contained residential apartments for student use and private rent.

The eight houses on Guilford Street and Lansdowne Terrace form a consistent and recognisable part of Bloomsbury, albeit they have all been much altered internally and at the rear. Previously used as student accommodation, their layout and condition mean they are currently uninhabitable. Our proposals combine a thorough understanding of historic plan form, and sophisticated implementation of ambitious environmental targets, and include:

- opening up front doors to reinstate historic access and reanimate the façade.
- restoring the generous proportions of the triple fronted street facing rooms, and reinstating these as primary living spaces.
- adapting rear rooms to accommodate good sized bedrooms and bathrooms.
- sensitive structural repairs that reference the historic plan form, with the introduction of new ‘twin’ timber spine walls giving space for new services.
- careful adaption of fabric to meet ‘EnerPhit’ Passivhouse standards, including new insulation, windows and ventilation.

Taken together, the scheme promises to be an exemplar for the sustainable development of buildings of their type and historic quality. It is intended that lessons learnt on this project will inform the University of London’s approach to its extensive historic building stock.

Client:   University of London

Stages: RIBA 1 – 3 - ongoing