Last year, construction works began on the site of the Royal Academy of Art's redevelopment buildings in central London. The 2 acre (8 093.712) masterplan by David Chipperfield Architects includes a redevelopment of the two historic buildings which make up the Royal Academy; Burlington House, and the newly acquired 6 Burlington Gardens, situated to the north of the original building.

The remodelling of the Royal Academy of Arts is the subject of a feature article in the London Evening Standard. Architecture critic Robert Bevan visited the construction site of what will be the Royal Academy’s largest expansion since 1868. A central link will connect these two buildings and open up access to previously unseen parts of the complex, while creating a public route between Piccadilly and Burlington Gardens. Coinciding with the Royal Academy’s 250th anniversary, the project is due for completion in 2018.

''It’s philosophical,'' says Chipperfield. ''The RA is an academy with lots of layers, not a museum''. Its purpose is instruction as well as exhibition. ''The negative is that the school is disturbed from its wonderful seclusion but the positive is that the by-passed school will be more engaged. [The project] adds more galleries but, just as important, is a larger idea about more activity.''......Continue Reading

View of link bridge. Image © David Chipperfield Architects 

The Royal Academy’s north-facing Entrance, Burlington Gardens, in 2018. image © Hayes Davidson

Top image © Alex Lentati

> via Evening Standard