The Confucius Institute is a project developed by the Peking University in collaboration with University College London - UCL- and supported by the Office of Chinese Language. Its’ aim is to support schools in starting and developing the teaching and learning of Mandarin Chinese. As part of their rebranding strategy the CI decided to refurbish their current run-down headquarters into a state of the art facility. The house forms part of a Georgian terrace erected in London’s Bloomsbury Conservation Area and is regarded by English Heritage as a building of exceptional interest. Over the years the building has gone through a series of radical interventions and alterations within the decoration and joinery to accommodate offices. Regardless of the history of these adaptations and the lack of authenticity to some of the existing features, its’ Grade II status made any change incredibly difficult. The proposal continues the British tradition and adds another chapter to the building’s layered history. The house is divided into three distinct areas: the teaching facilities, the reception rooms and the offices. Based on the idea that the house will be used for formal and informal activities at the same time, each floor responds to the different levels of formality. The ground floor is the most public area. This is the space where formal meetings and events will be held. The basement is the teaching area and the upper floors accommodate the offices, the board room and the library.