London Business School - The Sammy Ofer Centre

Sheppard Robson was commissioned by London Business School to create a state-of-the-art teaching centre in the Grade II listed Old Marylebone Town Hall and Library Annexe. The design includes the insertion of a glazed entrance foyer linking the two buildings, and a new lecture theatre block. The period buildings will be completely refurbished, retaining the ceremonial rooms in the Council House for use by Westminster Registrar’s Office.

The glazed link will have a distinctive impact on the Marylebone Road elevation, reflecting the new use. While complementing the historic and architectural interest of the existing buildings, the link will also create a dynamic entrance to the Business School.

A new teaching block will replace the 1960s section of the Council House to accommodate six lecture theatres seating between 80 and 100 students. A folding partition between the two large lecture theatres on the first floor will allow a combined room for 200 people, which will also be used by Westminster City Council for its meetings.

Read more… Further accommodation in the renovated interiors include a library, seminar rooms, flexible offices, and faculty support facilities. The design will create a modern learning environment within the historic premises, increasing the teaching spaces that the School has available.

Octatube has been appointed as the steel and glass specialist for the refurbishment of the Old Marylebone Town Hall and Library Annexe in London. The development will expand the facilities of the London Business School in a Grade II listed building scheme that has been acquired from the Westminster City Council. Sheppard Robson has drawn the design for a state-of-the-art teaching centre, including the insertion of a new lecture theatre block and a glazed entrance foyer linking two existing buildings.

On behalf of Wates Construction, Octatube is appointed as specialist subcontractor to design, engineer, produce and install the project’s exceptional steel and glass package.

The architectural design by the architectural office of Sheppard Robson includes a glazed link that will have a distinctive impact on the Marylebone Road elevation, reflecting the new use. While complementing the historic and architectural interest of the existing buildings, the link will also create a dynamic entrance to the Business School. The glass and steel structure maintains views through the passage and retains the individual identity of the two existing buildings. The detailing is characterised by non-visible connections, bespoke steel mullions and large-size high performance IGU’s .

A new teaching block will replace the 1960s section of the Council House to accommodate six lecture theatres seating between 100 and 200 students. Further accommodation in the renovated interiors include a library, seminar rooms, flexible offices and faculty support facilities. Throughout both the old and new buildings, uniquely shaped roof glazing elements and large format sidelights are integrated. The elegant central tower is wrapped by an independent self-supporting glazed rooflight.

The overal design adds a modern learning environment within the historic premises, increasing the teaching spaces the School has available. A significant investment by London Business School will further restore the iconic building to a full state of repair. The ceremonial rooms in the council House will be retained for use by Westminster Registrar’s Office. Completion of the Sammy Ofer Centre is scheduled for the second half of 2016.