Bush House, Aldwych Quarter, London WC2

Client: Kato Kagaku & Co.,Ltd

John Robertson Architects repositioned the iconic grade II listed Bush House, former home to the BBC World Service. Situated on the Strand, the landmark building is ideally positioned in Midtown, between the City and the West End. The works were carried out for Kato Kagaku, long term owners of the building.

Following the BBC’s vacation, JRA stripped back over 60 years of accretions to create large, open plan floorplates, spanning 10,800m² across nine storeys. Extensive structural interventions were made to reconfigure the floorplates and maximise efficiency throughout, with the building stripped back to its shell and new service cores constructed from the basement to roof level. Throughout, JRA was sensitive to the 1920s heritage of the building. A balance was struck to restore the wealth of period detailing, including travertine lined walls, coffered-ceilings and unique Art Deco features across the floors, whilst catering to the contemporary requirements of modern occupiers through considered interventions. Externally, the stonework has been cleaned and repaired, and the portico housing the world famous Malvina Hofmann sculpture above the entrance is now dramatically back lit. JRA also created two rooftop terraces at Bush House providing spectacular panoramic views across London. During the project JRA carefully considered sustainability and was able to integrate a number of measures to reach an impressive BREEAM Excellent rating.

The initial retrofit project was completed in 2014 and has been recognised for awards and shortlistings by New London Architecture, AJ Retrofit, MIPIM and RICS. JRA has gone on to fit-out Bush House, along with four adjoining buildings and the central courtyard for King’s College London. Bush House is now a gateway to KCL’s new Strand campus, offering world class facilities and teaching space in the heart of London.