McLaren is set to take possession of 35 Lincoln’s Inn Fields next month, where it will deliver the new home for the Firoz Lalji Global Hub.
Designed by David Chipperfield Architects, the scheme will set new standards in circular design and resource efficiency, and is expected to become the UK’s largest Passivhaus retrofit project. Reports ContractJournal
The redevelopment will see around 60% of the existing structure retained, with the top three floors and roof plant enclosure removed and replaced by a lightweight cross-laminated timber extension. This will expand the building’s footprint from 9,856m² to 11,848m².
The upgraded facilities for LSE will house the Firoz Lalji Institute for Africa, alongside new space for the Department of Mathematics, Department of Statistics, Executive Education, and the Data Science Institute.
Working alongside carbon consultant Buro Happold, McLaren has developed targeted strategies to cut embodied carbon. These include reassessing material choices, eliminating unnecessary elements, and prioritising low-carbon alternatives.
A range of materials will be salvaged for reuse, such as parquet and timber flooring, brass inlays from wall panelling, lighting fixtures, ceramic tiles, rainwater hoppers, and internal and external brickwork. The team has also sourced reclaimed materials from nearby sites for integration into the build.
Externally, the building will be refreshed with a lime-based off-white wash, brushed onto the brickwork to preserve its textured character while concealing imperfections.