Founded by Larry Ellison to translate scientific discovery into real-world impact through artificial intelligence, EIT has already established a world-class faculty of scientists, technologists, engineers, researchers, educators and innovators at its Oxford campus. The move to St James's Square marks the next step in that mission, combining world-leading innovation with a long-term investment in heritage, sustainability and place.
There are few better homes for it. The building carries a long association with innovation and technology, having once been home to Ada Lovelace, the world's first computer programmer. EIT intends to make it a new landmark for Westminster, a place that hosts leading thinkers and draws the future's tech pioneers into the heart of the capital.
Designed by renowned architects Foster & Partners, the scheme transforms buildings that have been significantly underused for too long, offering low-grade commercial space with deep floorplates, little natural light and failing accessibility. At present, anyone with accessibility needs must enter from the rear at Ormond Yard. As the long-term owner-occupier, EIT will address this head on: restoring and celebrating the listed buildings and carefully reimagining the poor-quality 1980s extension through a design that responds far more sensitively to its neighbours.
Central to the architectural approach is the relocation and consolidation of the building's cores into a single core to the north. This removes the highly visible and overbearing elements of the 1980s extension that currently loom over the front of 11-12 St James's Square, significantly improving the setting of the Square, reducing the prominence of later additions and enhancing important views, including that of the spire of the Grade I listed Church of St James. A series of poor-quality 1980s interventions will also be removed, including bulk above a historic glazed cupola, returning it to its original purpose and bringing light back into the building.
The project is Westminster's retrofit-first policy in action. It retains over 64% of the existing structure, specifies highly sustainable new materials and introduces passive shading, marking a substantial improvement in the building's operational sustainability. A new external greening strategy delivers landscaped terraces on a building that currently has none, giving staff space to meet and collaborate, and providing much needed urban greening.
The design evolved considerably through the pre-application process, reflecting extensive dialogue with the City Council and the site's exceptionally sensitive neighbours. Revised massing, improved setbacks, a developed screening strategy, opaque balustrades, perimeter planting and management controls were all designed to protect privacy and neighbouring amenity and decrease risk at Committee.
Laura Jenkinson, Partner & Head of London Planning, comments: “This is exactly the kind of outcome we need from the planning system - a unanimous resolution, on a scheme of real ambition, in one of London's most innovative destinations. Getting there took a design that listened hard to the Council and the neighbours without losing what makes it special. A fantastic result for EIT, and the Bidwells London Planning team.”
