Creativity
Our design reimagines BAFTA’s iconic grade II listed HQ to create an inclusive world-class centre of excellence for the motion picture arts of Film, Games & TV; integrating innovative heritage restoration with state-of-the-art technology & cost-in-use efficiency; while sensitively balancing members’ needs with public access & revenue, ensuring the charity’s social, economic & environmental sustainability. Built in 1883 as the Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours, 195 Piccadilly is BAFTA’s home since 1976 but its size/layout/services were unfit, limiting the charity’s reach. in 2014 we were chosen as architect & interior designer for a comprehensive future-proofing expansion & redesign. 

Functionality We developed BAFTA’s brief, transforming inclusivity & access with robust flexibility and multiple concurrent uses. Net area expanded ±50%. Our inventive re-working of spaces, volumes, views & sequential movement enables robust charitable/commercial adaptability and opportunities for theatrical ‘reveals’ & special events vital to their unique identity and social/economic sustainability. BAFTA’s core mission at the heart of the design is a dedicated learning & new talent floor with the UK’s 1st Clore space for moving image arts, enabling BAFTA to support the inspiration & training of diverse young creatives in Film, Games & TV. New infrastructure & services double capacity, hugely increasing quality, performance & revenue. New interiors enhance BAFTA’s unique character and celebrate building’s heritage using classic materials with bespoke textures & refined detailing that subtly builds the narrative on each floor. Includes: 2 theatre cinemas & multi-use space with 360o wall-map projection, multi‐purpose event & exhibition areas, 4 new kitchens & bars, members’ restaurant, new boardroom re‐using historic materials found during works & our bespoke table/chairs, judging/meeting rooms, offices & new roof terraces.

Innovation & sustainability
Improved EPC from “G” to “B” reduces carbon 73% (from 155 to 42 kg/CO2/m2) saving 292 tonnes/year (despite historic windows single-glazed). Extra top floor multi-use members area created by restoring/repositioning 3m higher, 2 huge original 1883 rooflight structures & decorative plaster, hidden 45yrs & considered lost. Glazed with Merck’s innovative new Eyrise Licrivision liquid-crystal ‘smart’ glazing system (its UK debut) removing ≤80% of UV heat/glare while clear for great views. Another UK 1st debut is Wearpure. Tech, a new natural mineral compound that cleans air by mineralizing primary greenhouse gases CO2/NOx. Our 3D-printed bar screen maximising surface area performs like a young tree; raising awareness for BAFTA’s young new-talent games audience. Close collaboration with consultants/builder & partnering with world-class tech firms (Dolby, Christie, etc) and a 2.5yr build through COVID, the £33m project done on time & budget in Sep.’21, with soft launch Nov. & formal opening mid-May ’22.