London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Tavistock Place 2

The development replaces a former shed building on a constrained, landlocked site behind the School’s existing Tavistock Place premises. Delivering 3,736 sqm of accommodation across five storeys and a basement level, the project demonstrates how challenging urban sites can be transformed into high-quality research environments that support scientific excellence, collaboration and user wellbeing.

Central to the design is the concept of A Bloomsbury Garden. Inspired by the area’s historic garden squares and intellectual culture, the building creates a calm and collaborative setting within a dense urban environment. Extensive planted terraces introduce greenery at multiple levels, while patinated brass cladding and carefully detailed screening establish a distinctive architectural identity that sits comfortably within the surrounding conservation area.

Privacy screens incorporate laser-cut artwork inspired by the School’s pioneering contribution to epidemiology and public health research, helping connect the building’s architecture with its academic purpose. Internally, circulation wraps around a light-filled atrium at the heart of the building, creating a social centre that encourages informal encounters between researchers, students and staff.

BMJ’s design response focused on creating opportunities for interaction, knowledge exchange and interdisciplinary collaboration. Rather than simply providing research and office accommodation, Tavistock Place 2 was designed as an environment where ideas can be shared through everyday movement, chance conversations and shared views across the central atrium.

The building also reflects the School’s commitment to long-term sustainability and responsible estate development. Achieving BREEAM Excellent, the project combines high environmental performance with flexible accommodation capable of adapting to future academic, scientific and future workplace requirements. The integration of planted terraces, daylight and high-quality building fabric contributes to a healthier workplace while supporting the School’s wider sustainability objectives. 

More than a new research building, Tavistock Place 2 creates a contemporary home for public health research within one of the world’s leading specialist institutions. By bringing together research, teaching and collaboration within a carefully crafted architectural setting, the project supports the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine’s mission to improve health and health equity worldwide through research, education and innovation.