The Courtauld unveils vision for new Somerset House campus
The Courtauld has announced an ambitious redevelopment of its Somerset House home, revealing plans for a world-class campus that reimagines how teaching, research and public engagement sit within the historic landmark.
We are working with design studio Lawson Ward as heritage specialists on the scheme, led by a masterplan by Witherford Watson Mann.
A key focus of the project is the transformation of the historic townhouses at 152–158 Strand. The original façades will be carefully restored and a new, fully accessible entrance for staff and students will be introduced, creating a direct and coherent link between the Strand frontage, Somerset House and the wider Courtauld campus for the first time.
Inside the townhouses, modern staff, teaching and research spaces will be delivered alongside a new lecture theatre designed to support contemporary learning and public programming. The overall approach prioritises accessibility and sustainability, addressing long-standing circulation challenges in the historic complex while improving environmental performance.
By connecting the Strand townhouses with Somerset House through sensitive architectural intervention, the project unites previously fragmented spaces into a single, cohesive academic and cultural hub, strengthening the Courtauld’s presence on the Strand while protecting and revitalising its architectural heritage.
– Alasdair Travers, Major Projects Partner, Purcell
