The Royal Society, the world’s Oldest Independent Scientific Academy, appointed BFF as Architect and Master-planner, from concept design to completion, to convert the Chicheley Hall estate, Listed Grade I, II* and II, into the Kavli Royal Society International Centre. One of the country’s finest early Georgian country house estates, it is an outstanding example of early domestic Georgian architecture, showing Palladian influence in the site planning and Baroque influence in the details. The buildings sit in landscaped gardens laid out in the early 18th century.

The Kavli Royal Society International Centre hosts a programme of major scientific meetings; including high level ‘round tables’, policy forums at national and international level, and bilateral meetings with other academies. It also hosts a programme of science and mathematics education activities to support policy makers and teachers.

There was insufficient volume to provide the required lecture theatres in the main house, without seriously compromising the historic fabric. With the approval of English Heritage however, Planning Permission and Listed Building Consent was obtained to convert the Coach House, Listed Grade II, to provide these together with a new build glazed enclosure for registration and break out space. This facilitated minimal interventions to the Main House Listed Grade I, which provides reception, meeting rooms and bedrooms.

The Royal Society takes its responsibilities as custodian of their estate extremely seriously and is committed to ensuring holistic, long-term sustainability – environmentally, economically and socially. To this end, significant investment was made in the development of an Energy Centre on site to house biofuel boilers that connect to a site-wide system for heating and hot water.

Following the completion of the project, the main building achieved a B rated Energy Performance Certificate: highly impressive for any refurbishment, particularly for historic buildings of this significance.

The re-use of so many of the existing materials in the building is testament to their durability and associated life cycle benefits and also helped to shape the specification of new materials, where required. For example, the quality and durability of new FSC certified oak panelled doors and frames match the longevity, workmanship and materials in the original early C18th building.

To ensure any future works can use materials that are in keeping with the current building, all surplus materials arising from the refurbishment have been retained and stored for future repairs and maintenance. Within the buildings, wireless technology was used to the greatest extent possible to minimize impact on historic fabric—including a wireless fire alarm installation, wireless light switches in the main house, and a wireless computer network.