Institute of Contemporary Arts



Institute of Contemporary Arts

Occupying a Grade I listed building on the Mall originally designed by John Nash, the ICA is a key player in London’s arts and cultural milieu. This project explores the nature of temporary structures and how they can be deftly integrated into historic fabric without compromising it.

The brief was to devise a trio of demountable, self-supporting glazed structures on the Neoclassical frontage. Paul McAneary Architects response was to design a series of wafer-thin sheets of glass that sit precisely within the existing stone balconies.

Detailing was especially challenging as the original construction was sacrosanct and could not be used to anchor the new interventions. The outcome is refined yet robust, a synthesis of old and new that subtly animates Nash’s famous ‘wedding cake’ facade. [By Catherine Slessor*]

Contract Value Private
Location Westminister, London
Client Institute of Contemporary Arts
Date 2007
Area 145m2
Design Team Paul McAneary Architects
Design Service From design concept, glazing design,3D visualisation