Savoy Place

Savoy Place, home of the UK’s Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), underwent a 28-month renovation, documented by Siobhán from start to finish.

You can find the full story in Siobhán’s Documentary folder here. However, if you want to get a feel for the finish project, continue reading…

Savoy Place’s finishes are a mixture of classic and contemporary, with the latter examples concentrated on the ‘members’ first’ floor. Here, the intention was to create a space that not only catered for longer-established institution members but also encouraged their younger colleagues to feel at home. Care was even taken to ensure that the light fittings in the library were designed around the concept of the ‘Faraday Cage’ – a tribute to one of engineering’s most inspiring contributors.

The renovation architects’ instincts were that original designers had almost always ‘got it right’ in their buildings. Accordingly, at Savoy Place, they set about restoring the vertical circulation core to the heart of the premises, and on reinstating the interiors’ original impressive ‘views’.

They achieved this by introducing two new main lift shafts, creating central lift lobbies that allow direct access to all facilities on each level, and simplifying circulation flows. Windowsill heights were lowered in order to maximize views out, and a rooftop terrace added to take advantage of the building’s stunning London vista.

Architects: Pringle Richards Sharratt Limited