This project is a competition-winning design with Tonkin Liu Architects to enhance the Grade II listed Landsdowne House. Built in 1763, it has been, for almost one hundred years, home to an exclusive private members club which contains a variety of social spaces, 73 hotel rooms and suites, a fully-equipped gym, 25-yard Art Deco indoor swimming pool, fencing salle and three squash courts.

The project centres around the open courtyard. This will be transformed via a bespoke perforated canopy and retractable barrel-vaulted double-glazed roof to create a delightful focal point and new multifunctional space in the heart of the building. The so-called “Shell Lace” canopy structure is fabricated via a biomimetic technique from 3mm thin perforated aluminium sheets, laser-cut and welded together to form a strong yet ultra-lightweight ceiling structure.

Integration has been appointed for the building services and environmental design. The courtyard is to be heated in winter and passive cooled in summer via evaporative cooling mists integrated into the feature canopy. The project also extends into the main areas with a substantial reconfiguration of internal services.