UCL are approaching their 200th anniversary, with a series of events planned to mark the Bicentennial in 2026. As part of these celebrations, estate development projects are underway that will enhance some key areas of the historic campus, offering upgrades to the public realm, accessibility and user experience.

Planning and Listed Buildings permissions have been granted by Camden Council this week for works associated with the UCL200 celebrations. The consented project proposes the reconnection and retrofitting of the lower-level cloisters of the Grade I Listed Wilkins Building, and a transformation of the Main Quad at the heart of the Bloomsbury Campus.

The circulation of the Main Quad has been rethought, with reference to its original landscape pattern, and uses subtle changes in level and texture to provide an accessible environment for a diverse association of potential visitors. Through detailed collaboration with the University and its Students’ Union the layouts provide settings for a range of event types and for everyday occupation of the space. These include locations for temporary structures to allow use of the Quad throughout the year.

New landscaping and tree planting proposals have been developed with John Little and UCL’s Blanche Cameron to create a range of new habitats and to support the diversity of flora sought by ‘Wild Bloomsbury’, while Oliver Wilton of the Bartlett has helped to guide the specification of new and recycled paving materials.

Designs for the Wilkins’ Cloisters will insert new circulation to connect the upper ground floor main event space and the lower refectory with the ground floor, including a new lift. This addresses long standing access and inclusivity issues in the building and will dramatically improve connectivity across the campus. The project will realise a series of interconnected flexible spaces that can be used for events, conferences, occasional teaching and informal study, transforming previously underutilised circulation spaces into a vibrant hub at UCL’s historic heart. The proposed reconfiguration also opens opportunities for permanent and temporary display and exhibition spaces that can act as a learning resource for students, staff and the public.

Works will commence in the New Year, with completion due by the end of 2025, ready for the start of a year of Bicentennial activity and celebration at the University.

Hannah Milner, Director Capital Programme, UCL Estates, comments:

“Working with key stakeholders, the Estates Capital Development team are looking forward to kickstarting the first phase of physical refurbishments across UCL to achieve project delivery of the central spaces in time for the Bicentennial celebrations in 2026. Creating spaces with a multi-functional capacity for the community is a consistent driver for both UCL and the talented team delivering this ground-breaking project”.

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