Feix&Merlin and Alison Brooks Architects selected to redevelop 61 Aldwych
An international competition to overhaul 61 Aldwych into a pioneering academic hub has been won by Feix&Merlin and Alison Brooks Architects.
The winning design will transform the 17,600m² building on the corner of Aldwych and Kingsway, providing a 'new front door' to LSE from Aldwych and a projecting bay window to open up the university to the street. The building will be reactivated at street level on Kingsway, and at roof level, where a roof terrace will be created for LSE students and staff.
Internally, the winning scheme aims to create a ‘world-class biophilic environment for teaching, research and social learning’ through a ‘bold sculptural staircase’ moving up the building and through biophilic surroundings.
Genuinely collaborative
LSE Director of Estates Julian Robinson said that the university "focused on both the team and the scheme when making our selection".
He explained: "The dynamic between Feix&Merlin and Alison Brooks Architects was genuinely collaborative. The commitment to reuse and a relatively light but impactful intervention into the fabric was appreciated, not just in terms of economy but also sustainability.
"The wholehearted embracing of an integrated biophilic design, using specialist consultants was distinctive and convincing and will create a new typology for social learning space at LSE. We also liked the well-considered link through to LSE’s Old Building and the suggestion of additional links on the upper floors."
Bold reimagining
Tarek Merlin, Co-founder and Director of Feix&Merlin Architects, said: "This is a landmark moment for us – our biggest project to date. A bold reimagining of a prominent corner site on Kingsway and Aldwych, 61A will become a new higher education hub and civic gateway – where LSE meets the city.
"A major heritage retrofit, and a next-generation learning environment our vision was shaped through the lens of biophilic design – could this be LSE’s greenest building yet? We can’t wait to bring this one to life."
Alison Brooks, Founder and Creative Director of Alison Brooks Architects, added: "We’re thrilled to be working with LSE and Feix&Merlin to create an inspiring new teaching and research hub at 61 Aldwych.
"Our proposals will transform the existing inward-looking office monolith to an open, outward-looking campus threshold, filled with natural light, greenery and organically connected convening spaces.
"We’re working with a fantastic project team to ensure this project supports LSE’s ambitious sustainability goals and world-leading academic mission."
The competition process included a public exhibition and consultation on five shortlisted proposals, where the Alison Brooks Architects and Feix&Merlin scheme also unanimously won the public vote.
Completion is estimated for 2028, subject to planning.