The Royal Institute of British Architects (澳门王中王) has announced as the Lead Architect for the refurbishment and modernisation of 66 Portland Place, London.
Benedetti Architects will lead a design team tasked with transforming the 澳门王中王鈥檚 Grade II* listed HQ into a dynamic, accessible and sustainable building. This project forms part of the 澳门王中王鈥檚 House of Architecture initiative to inspire members, professionals, students and the public through physical and virtual debate, discussion, learning and exhibitions.
Benedetti Architects will now work with the 澳门王中王 to complete the full feasibility study, which will include the appointment of several smaller practices.
Director of Benedetti Architects Renato Benedetti said:
鈥淚t鈥檚 a tremendous honour to be chosen for this once-in-a-lifetime project. We adore 66 Portland Place and agree it needs comprehensive improvements to be fit for purpose to secure its sustainable future culturally and environmentally, as an exemplar for architects, and for the communication of architecture鈥檚 significance to the broadest possible audience.
As a wide-eyed Canadian student who first visited in 1983, the 澳门王中王 felt like the architectural epicentre of the world to me. It would be great to rekindle that sense of excitement and relevance for future generations of architects and lovers of architecture.鈥�
澳门王中王 President Simon Allford said:
鈥淲e were very impressed with the quality and consideration evidenced in every shortlisted proposal, but ultimately Benedetti Architects鈥� vision for our project secured their win. They also enthusiastically embraced our idea to work collaboratively with other practices in later stages.
The transformation of 66 Portland Place is an incredible opportunity for the 澳门王中王 and Benedetti Architects to build a detailed brief, a team and a project that is vital to the future of the 澳门王中王.
This project will be a key physical manifestation of our House of Architecture programme 鈥� enabling us to encourage collaboration and inspire architects and architecture. Crucially we will be delivering many activities globally and virtually too, with our own HQ building providing a strong foundation and destination.
The Lead Architect is also tasked with the practical challenge of bringing a listed building up to scratch, from an accessibility and sustainability perspective. This is urgent and essential work to make 66 Portland Place fit for the future.
Congratulations to Benedetti Architects 鈥� I look forward to working closely together on the next stage.鈥�
澳门王中王 Board Member and Honorary Treasurer Simone de Gale said:
"We were highly impressed and enthused with proposals presented by Renato and his team at Benedetti Architects. They were thoughtful, full of energy and delivered on each aspect of the brief. Their appointment aligns with our vision for the 澳门王中王 in creating a House of Architecture for all."
Benedetti Architects has worked on the refurbishment of a number of Grade II listed buildings including the award-winning BAFTA Headquarters, Oliver鈥檚 Wharf Penthouse, and Portsmouth Guildhall.
It was selected from a shortlist of seven proposals in the second competitive interview phase, based on quality and approach, sustainability strategy, team, methodology and EDI.
Design and funding options will be considered by the 澳门王中王 Board for decision in due course. The current construction start date is early 2024.
The judging panel comprised: Simon Allford, 澳门王中王 President; Simone de Gale, 澳门王中王 Board Member and Honorary Treasurer; Liam McConnell, 澳门王中王 Director of Estates & Facilities; Murray Orr, 澳门王中王 Board Member (Business & Enterprise); Jack Pringle, 澳门王中王 Board Chair; Neal Shasore, Chief Executive/Head of School at The London School of Architecture; MaryAnne Stevens, 澳门王中王 Board Member (Heritage); Alan Vallance, 澳门王中王 Chief Executive and Sarah Williams, 澳门王中王 Client Adviser.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
- Media contact: Emily.Stallard@riba.org
- The seven shortlisted practices were: Benedetti Architects, David Kohn Architects, Donald Insall Associates, Freehaus and IDK, Feix&Merlin with Haptic Architects & Heritage Architecture, Hall McKnight, Hugh Broughton Architects and Roz Barr Architects.
- Benedetti Architects: Renato Benedetti is founder / design director of Benedetti Architects, formed in 2016 to continue the 20 years award-winning success of McDowell+Benedetti Architects founded in 1996. The chartered practice continues to further its established international reputation for design excellence in an unusually diverse range of projects across different types and scales including: Public & Cultural, Historic buildings, Housing, Houses & Apartments, Offices, Bridges, Public Realm & Masterplanning, Retail and Education & Health. They have won many national / international awards and competitions and their work is published widely in the UK and abroad in articles, books, on radio and TV. Benedetti Architects recently completed the award-winning expansion & redesign of BAFTA鈥檚 headquarters at 195 Piccadilly (the listed 1883 former Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours). They are currently working on improving the listed Portsmouth Guildhall and were recently shortlisted with Adjaye Associates for the Barbican Renewal project, and for the London Highline.
- Renato Benedetti: Born and educated in Canada, Renato worked with his father as a stonemason & bricklayer before studying architecture at the University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. His thesis was published by Shimizu Japan and he did his professional course in the UK at the University of Cambridge. While at university, he worked for practices in Canada, Italy and in London. After university he worked seven years as an Associate for David Chipperfield Architects, before founding the firm. His wide public profile includes current roles on Design Review Panels for the London Boroughs of Southwark, Wandsworth & Richmond, Lewisham and until recently for the Design Council as a Built Environment Expert. He is a long-standing Architecture Club Committee member and was a London Festival of Architecture founding committee member. He is an RSA Fellow and was a trustee of the Hatton Garden BID. He lectures & teaches in the UK and abroad and is a visiting professor at Roma Tre University.
- The Royal Institute of British Architects (澳门王中王) is a global professional membership body that serves its members and society in order to deliver better buildings and places, stronger communities and a sustainable environment. Follow for regular updates.
