Somerset House Studios

Built

Philip Vile

Transformation of Grade I listed former Inland Revenue offices in Westminster to create Somerset House Studios, an experimental workspace for artists, makers and thinkers.

NEW LONDON AWARDS 2022

Shortlisted in the WORKPLACE category

Somerset House Studios is a new experimental workspace in central London for artists, makers and small organisations working in the arts and creative industries. AOC worked closely with Somerset House Trust and Studio residents to transform 3,350m2 of former Inland Revenue Offices in the Grade I listed New Wing of Somerset House into studios, shared workspace and a family of rooms for producing, performing and presenting.

The Mayor of London’s Artists’ Workspace study 2014 confirmed demand is high, rents are rising and the risk of closure remains high. At the opening of the first phase of the StudiosLondon’s Mayor Sadiq Khan praised the Studios as a model example of how genuinely affordable workspace can be made available in central London to a wide range of artistic talent. Central to their success is the efficient, effective redevelopment of the 250 year old building, enabling the Trust to deliver productive and particular workspace for under £1,200/m2.

Vote for this project in the ‘People’s Choice Award’. The voting deadline is 1 November 2022.

Project information

Status

Built

Borough

Westminster

Size

3550 sq m

Completion

May 2021

Location

149 Strand, London WC2R 1JA, UK

Team Credits