chipperfield, DS+R, and herzog & de meuron vie for LSE's paul marshall building

chipperfield, DS+R, and herzog & de meuron vie for LSE’s paul marshall building
(above) team A / all images courtesy of LSE

the london school of economics and political science (LSE) has revealed designs from the six architects shortlisted for its next major building project — 44 lincoln’s inn fields, or the paul marshall building. the proposals are on display anonymously, so that each entry can be judged solely on design merit. in alphabetical order, the shortlisted teams are as follows:

AL_A (amanda levete architects)
david chipperfield architects
diller scofidio + renfro, with penoyre & prasad
grafton architects
herzog & de meuron
niall mclaughlin architects + scott brownrigg

team A — the building is organized vertically with louder and busier areas at the lower levels

according to the initial project brief, the new building should ‘play a key role in promoting the values, ethos and brand of the school’, while ‘inspiring future generations of students and academics’. the scheme requires adaptable teaching and research workspaces that combine old and new methods of student-centered learning and academic scholarship. following its redevelopment, the new building will house a number of departments including the marshall institute for philanthropy and social entrepreneurship.

team A — the scheme seeks to bring adjacent urban space inside the building

‘the amount of analysis and intellectual effort that has gone into the designs from each team is staggering and the results are impressive and very exciting,’ commented julian robinson, LSE’s director of estates. ‘given its size and prime location on lincoln’s inn fields we want this to be a seminal university building; its legacy will endure for many generations so it is vital that we make the right decision.’

team B — the proposal involves the creation of new through routes

as part of the public consultation process, an exhibition of the six design concepts is being held at LSE’s saw swee hock student centre — completed by o’donnell + tuomey architects — until march 17, 2016. all visitors, whether associated with LSE or not, can vote for their preferred design. see each of the proposals below, and vote for your favorite scheme here. the result of the RIBA-organized competition will be announced in the spring of 2016.

team B — the ‘streets’ become enclosed inhabitable spaces

team B — the paul marshall institute crowns the building

team C — an aerial view of the proposed development

team C — the depth of the façade lends the scheme a solid appearance

team C — view of the great hall from the lincoln’s in field

team D — the porous grand hall encourages pedestrian movement

team D — the structure draws light down towards the ground floor

team D — academic departments are spread over five levels, connected via an open stairway

team E — view of the primary façade from lincoln’s inn fields

team E — an atrium rises through the center of the design

team E — the building would be made from portland stone and glass

team F — view of the northern entrance overlooking lincoln’s inn fields

team F — an atrium overlooks various academic departments and communal areas

team F — an informal study area for students