RIBA Competitions is delighted to announce that Hall McKnight have won the competition to redevelop the Quadrangle at King’s College London’s historic Strand Campus.
They fought off strong competition from Estudio Barozzi Veiga; Estudio Carme Pinos with Soto-Lay Architects; Eric Parry Architects; Henley Halebrown Rorrison and Zaha Hadid Architects. Hall McKnight’s submission was considered to be unique in playing to the strengths of the historic buildings surrounding the Quad.
Ian Caldwell, Director of Estates & Facilities at King’s, said: "Hall McKnight had undertaken an impressive analysis of the site and presented a clear philosophy.
"By uncovering layers of the past, the architects showed a real engagement with the history of the buildings surrounding the Quad. The competition jury panel was impressed with Hall McKnight’s passion, intelligence, strategic sense and communicative ability.
"I am confident that Hall McKnight will develop a detailed design and create an innovative learning and social space for King’s students, staff and the wider community."
Niall McLaughlin, RIBA Adviser said: "This competition contained a strong and diverse international field. The quality of the submissions was very high. It was a pleasure to witness each of the presentations.
"Hall McKnight showed an ability to move from a detailed historical investigation to a very confident design synthesis. This shows great promise and maturity. I am confident that they can work well with King’s to develop a very successful building in this extraordinary setting."
Hall McKnight said it was delighted to emerge as the winners among such a strong shortlist.
In the next phase of the project, King’s will work with Hall McKnight to develop the concept. It is anticipated that a design will be completed in Spring 2013 and it is hoped that the Quad will be in use in the 2014-15 academic year.
The Strand Campus at King’s College London provides teaching and social space for some 9,000 students and 1,500 staff. The campus is home to the College’s Schools of Arts & Humanities, Social Science & Public Policy, Natural & Mathematical Sciences, Dickson Poon School of Law and Global Institutes & Centres.
Over the next five years the College plans to add a further 2,600 students at this campus. The £20 million project to design and redevelop the Quad, including the buildings below it and the immediate surroundings, will provide an additional 3,700 square meters of teaching and student social space.