The Royal Society of Chemistry is located in Burlington House in central London, adjacent to the Royal Academy. The building was designed in 1867 by Messrs Banks and Barry and is Grade 2* listed.

Following a design competition, Hugh Broughton Architects were appointed to refurbish the ground floor to provide a flexible and welcoming space to be used by the RCS and to be hired out for functions and events. The poorly lit and cramped reception area has been opened up to create an open bright entrance to reflect the forward looking ethos of the RCS. The principle meeting rooms had been used as office space until the RCS moved into new premises in Cambridge. The rooms have been given a new lease of life as high quality meeting spaces. Hanging light rings highlight the original plaster ceilings and provide lighting levels for video conference and lectures. State of the art audio-visual facilities have been sensitively intergrated into the historic fabric. The existing toilet areas were stripped out and replanned to cater for increased visitor numbers and events including disabled facilities and a servery.

Project team Hugh Broughton Architects Price and Myers (structure) Hugh Broughton Architects (services) Ridge (cost consultants) Coniston (contractor)