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A redevelopment to open a priceless heritage to the public today and in the future
Among the most respected cultural and artistic research institutions in the world, the Warburg Institute and its library trace back to the childhood of its founder, Aby Warburg, and the moment he first fell in love with books. Piece by piece, Warburg amassed the collection that remains the heart of the institution. In 1933, with the rise of Nazism – Warburg and his family were Jewish – the books and photographs were transferred from Hamburg to London. It changed locations several times until 1944, when it became part of the University of London. Finally, in 1958, it moved to its current location in the UoL’s Bloomsbury campus in a building designed by architect Charles Holden.
Another new chapter has now begun for the institute, with Haworth Tompkins designing a redevelopment project that includes the creation of new public spaces. Named the Warburg Renaissance, the project is not only respectful of the past and traditions that have been preserved here for decades, but also gives the institute the vital ability to move into the future. The restoration has therefore respected the existing architecture, while also creating new and large spaces that will provide much easier access to the institute’s wealth of materials.
Among the new spaces, the 140-seat Hinrich Reemtsma Auditorium is the new nerve center of the institute. Located at street level, several sections of the auditorium have been left open to the outside via large windows, which, both physically and symbolically, connect the different spaces and eras of the center. By becoming a part of the present of the auditorium, the past is able to project itself into the future.
Another of the most significant new spaces is the Kythera Gallery, an art gallery with delicate tones and ample natural light designed to house the institute’s permanent collections and host temporary public exhibitions. Located between the main entrance and the reading room, the gallery is a flexible space – a hub for experimenting with different physical and digital access methods, and, therefore, reflecting the forward-thinking vision of its founder. Its flexibility includes the option of transforming the gallery into a wing of the new auditorium, adding to the versatility of both.
“The Warburg Institute is one of London’s greatest hidden treasures,” said Elizabeth Flower, project architect with Haworth Tompkins. “Through the Warburg Renaissance project, we set out to honor the legacy of both its architect, Charles Holden, and founder, Aby Warburg, while opening its unique contents to new audiences. Striking a balance between modernization of the institute’s publicly accessible aspects, alongside the preservation of its extraordinary character and atmosphere, has been a forensic and important process. Its architectural re-birth will allow continued discovery and enjoyment of the collections for many future generations.”
“It has been a great privilege for us working on the Warburg project, helping to give this unique building a new future,” added Graham Haworth, Haworth Tompkins. “The journey has been long and at times challenging, but the result is testament to the tremendous efforts of everyone involved, who have all connected with the positive energy of the Warburg Institute, its staff and supporters, and the legacy of Aby Warburg.”
Location: London, UK
Architect: Haworth Tompkins
Client: The Warburg Institute, School of Advanced Study, University of London
Main Contractor: Quinn Heritage London
Project Manager: Artelia
Cost Consultant: Artelia
Building Control: Assent
Structural Engineers: Price & Myers
MEP / Services Engineer: Skelly & Couch
Acoustics: Gillieron Scott Acoustic Design
Fire Engineer: The Fire Surgery
Heritage Consultant: Alan Baxter
Completion: 2024
Total Area: 4,930 sqm
Photography by Hufton+Crow, courtesy of Haworth Tompkins and Warburg Institute
