Senate House stands at the centre of the university’s campus in Russell Square was once the second tallest building in London after St Paul’s Cathedral. The Grade II* listed Art Deco-inspired building was used as the Ministry of Information during World War II.
ISG’s refurbishment programme will see extensive internal remodelling of the north block’s basement, ground floor, and levels one to three, including significant structural alterations.
In the first phase of the project, ISG will carry out a systematic strip-out of the accommodation, followed by demolition works to break out the existing floor slabs and insert of new structural steelwork. A large access void will be created within the concrete floor and an existing basement-to-roof riser will be stripped out, the space reconfigured and a new lift installed.
The internal remodelling of Senate House includes the provision of new partition walls to create a library. ISG will also deliver new lecture theatres, conference facilities and a number of cellular offices and studies.
The fit-out is to be carried out in an architecturally sensitive manner to preserve the heritage of the building, using traditional materials and skilled craftspeople to repair lime stone plaster, interior timberwork and stone cornices.
Secondary glazing will be either replaced or upgraded to improve the building’s thermal and acoustic performance and existing parquet flooring repaired and rejuvenated. ISG is delivering a full turnkey solution for the University of London involving the sourcing and supply of all fixtures, fittings and equipment.
A key element of the modernisation work is the installation of modern mechanical and electrical systems.
The project is scheduled for completion in summer 2014.
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