Royal College of Surgeons opens new home for surgical excellence

Last week saw the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) officially open its prestigious new ‘Home for Surgical Excellence’.
Over the past five years, Swee Siew and Fion Tsen have worked hand in hand with the RCS and project managers/employer’s agent, Lendlease Consulting, to plan and manage the £80M transformation of the organisation’s headquarters in Lincoln’s Inn Fields.

A new seven-storey extension, including double level basement was constructed behind the retained Grade II* listed façade of the Barry Building, creating a truly spectacular modern facility which blends the historical architecture with state-of-the-art and environmentally sustainable modern design. The project delivers a new Professional Surgical Centre, with facilities for courses and exams; the Lumley Library; contemporary meeting rooms; member spaces; facilities for Surgical Speciality Associations; office zones; space for the Huntarian Museum and a new public entrance and café. The pièce de résistance is a sixth floor event space, The View, boasting terrace views over London.

The nature of the site, proximity to an adjacent development by the LSE, retained historic features and of course, the pandemic, all created their complications but were overcome with perseverance and determination by the team. BIM and Modern Methods of Construction, like pre-cast concrete elements, have played a key role in delivering the project.

The result is a spectacular, world class home for surgical learning, examination and research, set in the heart of London and accessible to the RCS’ diverse membership.