Education, Whitechapel

BRIEF: The Garrod Building was constructed in 1854 and was formerly home to the London Hospital Medical College.  It was the first purpose-built medical college in England. In 1995 it merged with the Medical College of St Bartholomew’s Hospital and QMUL to form Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry. The building is named in recognition of the physician Sir Archibald Garrod, who spent much of his career at St Bartholomew’s Hospital.

The Old Library had deteriorated over the years and the splendour of the building was under utilized. Images of the space can be seen below. It was our job to reinvigorate the space as a vibrant learning and social space for students and the challenge was very much in bringing the facilities up to modern standards whilst still respecting the heritage of the building. The Old Library hosts evening events and concerts, and as such, a permanent stage was created within the bay window and as such, furniture needed to be flexible and reconfigurable.

We removed the old carpet tiles and reinstated a parquet floor with an Amtico mansion weave pattern bringing grandeur warmth to the space. The perimeter was lined with a new banquette seat in vinyl with a heating and ventilation system hidden within the structure as nothing could be fixed to the ornate plasterwork ceiling. Biophilia and acoustic panels were also added to soften the space and to create a comfortable environment to study and socialise.

SIZE: 2,700 sq ft