35 Lincoln’s Inn Fields
The London School of Economics’ Design Competition for 35 Lincoln’s Inn Fields presents a unique design challenge for architects worldwide to secure a high-profile global scheme with the opportunity to produce a design for a new landmark building in one of central London’s most important and historic areas. The 35 LIF Design Competition is a two-stage process. Expressions of Interest are initially sought, following which a shortlist of up to six design teams will be selected; and from these the winning team. All shortlisted teams will be paid an honorarium.
London School of Economics & Political Science (LSE) is one of the world’s leading universities with a truly global reach, competing for students and staff with universities including Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard and Stanford.
LSE has been firmly established in the centre of London since 1895, sited on a tight urban campus adjacent to the Aldwych and Kingsway and within walking distance of Parliament, the City of London and the Law Courts. Intent on remaining in its current location, the School has plans both to expand its intake and to improve the quality of its estate to meet the high expectations of staff and students. The RIBA design competition for 35 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, referred to as 35 LIF, is part of LSE’s objective to transform the quality of its buildings.
The design and civic qualities of the new building will enhance both local and international perceptions of LSE, and transform the identity of the south side of Lincoln’s Inn Fields, one of London’s oldest and most emblematic landscaped squares, while respecting and complementing the historic context of many of the neighbouring buildings and public realm. The site lies on the southern road of Lincoln’s Inn Fields, opposite Sir John Soane’s Museum.
At the heart of the scheme will be a building with opportunities for complementary formal and informal uses in the spaces around it and providing linkages with other LSE buildings.
LSE is committed to creating a world class estate with buildings and facilities that are commensurate with its international academic standing.
LSE has established a reputation in the last decade of commissioning high quality, innovative and sustainable architecture. The development of a major new university building at 35 Lincoln’s Inn Fields will further cement this reputation.
The School has instigated this RIBA international design competition to procure a design response which will achieve the following:
The Invitation for Expressions of Interest and Selection Questionnaire documents can be downloaded from the Supporting Information. Please look at these documents for more information on the competition objectives and the selection process.
To be considered all formal submissions must only be made to RIBA Competitions. LSE cannot accept any direct applications.
The anticipated programme for the scheme is set out in the table below; please note this is draft and is subject to change.
