The University of Westminster’s campus on Regent Street has a special history. The foyer dates from 1912, but fronts a much older building that was home to the first polytechnic in London – one of the first in the UK – so the site has been used for education since 1838.
In early 2024, we were commissioned to undertake a feasibility study to improve the foyer. It’s a grand space, with colourful marble walls, marble-clad piers, a war memorial, a commemorative tablet honouring Edward VII and a mosaic in the terrazzo floor. The current furniture, reception desk and lighting do little to complement its Grade II listed features, and the client felt that the foyer could be more versatile.
With so many colours and heritage features, there was a danger of over-texturing the foyer. We proposed colours and textures for new furniture that subtly echo but do not compete with the marble walls. Moved the reception desk from the centre to the side allows greater flexibility and it no longer dominates the space.
Historic photographs provided inspiration too: in 1895, sculptural planting added elegance, and the Chesterfield sofas of 1912 suited the space so well. We proposed a modern version, the BOB modular sofa, which works well during the day but is also useful for Westminster’s many evening events, as well as those hosted by the cinema next door.
By removing as much visual clutter as possible and simplifying the space, the foyer celebrates its heritage and showcases the university’s identity.
