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Overview
The Royal Academy of Arts is one of the United Kingdom’s most significant cultural institutions, with more than 250 years of history dedicated to promoting the Arts of Design. Founded in the 18th century, the Academy began in a modest 30-foot studio before expanding into the iconic Burlington House campus in 1867, where it continues to operate today as a major exhibition, education, and cultural destination in central London.
Over the decades, the Royal Academy has evolved to accommodate new exhibitions, studios, and public spaces while preserving the architectural heritage of its historic buildings. The campus is recognised as a Grade II* listed property, meaning any restoration or upgrade works must carefully balance modern performance requirements with strict heritage preservation standards.
As part of an ongoing restoration and renewal programme, the Academy initiated a series of improvements to future-proof the historic property while maintaining its architectural character. A key component of this programme was the replacement and upgrade of timber rooflights above the Shaw and Smirke Studios, spaces that rely heavily on natural light to support artistic work and exhibitions.
Structura was appointed to deliver specialist façade and glazing engineering works for the project. The work required a highly bespoke approach to ensure the new rooflight systems met modern performance standards while preserving the building’s historic structural elements.
This project demonstrates how careful façade engineering can support the restoration of heritage buildings while improving performance, longevity, and usability for future generations.
Details
Client:
The Royal Academy of Arts
Location:
Burlington House, Piccadilly, London
Architect:
David Chipperfield Architects & Julian Harrap Architects
Main Contractor:
Knight Harwood
Project Metrics
Key performance and project metrics include:
Building Type: Grade II* listed cultural institution
Scope of Work: Rooflight replacement, curtain wall installation, glazing works, and entrance systems
Primary Systems Installed: Schüco curtain wall rooflight system
Studios Involved: Shaw Studio and Smirke Studio
Thermal Performance Achieved: U-value reduced to approximately 1.6 W/m²K
Construction Type: Heritage restoration and façade upgrade
The Challenge
Restoring glazing and rooflight systems within a listed building presents several complex technical and architectural challenges. Projects of this nature must comply with heritage conservation requirements while also delivering improved building performance and long-term durability. For the Royal Academy of Arts project, the main challenges centred on preserving historic architectural features while integrating modern glazing technology.
Working Within a Grade II* Listed Building
Burlington House is designated as a Grade II* listed structure, meaning that the architectural and historical significance of the building must be protected throughout any refurbishment or construction work. This designation imposes strict requirements on how modifications are carried out. Original structural elements must often be retained and preserved, and any new components must respect the building’s historic character. In the Shaw Studio rooflight replacement, this meant retaining the original timber rafters, which form an important part of the historic roof structure. Rather than replacing these elements, the project required the new glazing system to integrate with the existing timber framework.
Irregular Dimensions & Historic Construction
Buildings constructed more than a century ago rarely conform to modern construction tolerances. At the Royal Academy, each rooflight opening presented unique dimensions due to historical construction methods and decades of building evolution. This meant that standardised façade systems could not be applied directly. Instead, the project required a highly bespoke curtain wall system that could be precisely engineered to accommodate the varying structural conditions. Achieving this level of accuracy required careful surveying, detailed design coordination, and precision installation.
Balancing Heritage Preservation & Performance
While heritage conservation was a priority, the rooflight systems also needed to meet modern building performance expectations. Older glazing installations often struggle to provide sufficient insulation, leading to heat loss and inconsistent internal environmental conditions. For the Royal Academy studios, the new rooflights needed to improve thermal efficiency while still respecting the historic structure. This balance between preservation and performance is one of the defining challenges of working within listed buildings.
Maintaining Operational Continuity
The Royal Academy of Arts continues to function as a working cultural institution throughout renovation projects. Exhibitions, studio work, and public events continue while restoration works take place. Construction activities therefore needed to be carefully planned to minimise disruption to the Academy’s operations while maintaining high safety standards.
Structura’s Solution
Structura delivered a bespoke façade engineering solution designed specifically for the constraints and requirements of the Royal Academy project. The approach combined heritage-sensitive design, precision fabrication, and specialist installation techniques.
Rooflight Replacement in Shaw Studio
The first stage of the project focused on the replacement of existing rooflights within the Shaw Studio. Because the original timber rafters were required to remain in place under listed building guidelines, the new system needed to be installed directly onto the preserved structural framework. New timber elements were installed onto the existing rafters to provide the structural interface for the glazing system.
Once this supporting structure was prepared, Structura installed a Schüco curtain walling system designed to support the rooflight glazing. The curtain wall framework allowed the glazing system to integrate seamlessly with the preserved timber roof structure while delivering improved performance.
Bespoke Curtain Wall Engineering
Due to the irregular dimensions of the rooflight openings, each section of the curtain wall system required careful design coordination. Unlike standardised glazing systems used in modern developments, this installation demanded precise adaptation to the unique geometry of each opening.
The project required meticulous attention to detail at both the design and installation stages. Structura’s experience with bespoke curtain wall systems enabled the team to accommodate these variations while maintaining the structural and visual integrity of the rooflights.
Installation of Glazing Systems
Once the curtain walling framework was installed, glazing panels were carefully fitted into the structure. The glazing installation completed the rooflight replacement, restoring the natural light performance of the studios while significantly improving the building envelope. Natural light is a critical component of studio environments, particularly within artistic and exhibition spaces. The upgraded rooflight systems ensure that the Shaw and Smirke Studios continue to benefit from consistent, high-quality daylight.
Additional Rooflight and Entrance Works
In addition to the Shaw Studio rooflight replacement, Structura also carried out additional works across the Royal Academy site. These included:
- Installation of a new rooflight at the Smirke Studio extension in the East Yard
- Glazing works associated with the studio expansion
- Installation of power-assisted entrance doors for the new studio space
These elements formed part of the broader refurbishment programme designed to modernise the facilities while preserving the architectural character of the historic site.
Project Results
The restoration works delivered significant improvements to the building envelope while preserving the historic character of the Royal Academy’s architecture. The completed rooflight systems provide enhanced performance while respecting the constraints of the listed structure.
Improved Thermal Performance
One of the key technical outcomes of the project was an improvement in thermal performance. The upgraded rooflight systems achieved U-values of approximately 1.6 W/m²K, helping to reduce heat loss compared to older glazing installations. Improved insulation contributes to more stable internal temperatures within the studios, supporting both occupant comfort and energy efficiency.
Preservation of Historic Architectural Features
A defining success of the project was the ability to maintain the original timber roof structure while integrating modern glazing technology. By retaining the historic rafters and installing new structural timber where required, the project respected the building’s heritage while delivering contemporary performance. This approach demonstrates how specialist façade engineering can support conservation-led restoration projects.
Bespoke Engineering for Historic Structures
The irregular geometry of the rooflight openings required careful surveying and precision installation. The successful completion of the curtain wall installation across varying dimensions highlights the value of bespoke façade systems in heritage projects. Each section was tailored to the specific structural conditions of the building.
Future-Proofing a Cultural Landmark
Beyond the technical improvements, the project contributes to the long-term preservation of the Royal Academy campus. By upgrading key building components such as rooflights, glazing systems, and entrance infrastructure, the restoration programme ensures that the building can continue to support exhibitions, studios, and public events for decades to come. Projects like this play a vital role in protecting the architectural and cultural heritage of important institutions while allowing them to evolve to meet modern requirements.