Central to Founder’s Court, Royal Holloway College University of London is a statue of Thomas and Jane Holloway. The college was one of eight women’s colleges founded in England during the period 1869-1886, the only one outside Oxford or Cambridge. Designed by W. H. Crossland, the central coutryards of the college are grade I listed. A new railing by MBA subtly protects and illuminates the sculpture.

The statue is by Count Gleichen (1833-1891) who sculpted this and the corresponding statue of Queen Victoria in the northern court. Gliechen constructs his sculpture on a large base, with muses at the corners, in a baroque fashion, with a series of swags and scrolls at 45 degrees to the man axis, the corners of the base set out as ʻcircles within squaresʼ. This geometry has informed the setting out of the proposed railing.

The railing is designed to prevent casual access to the sculpture – a beer mug used to appear in the founder’s right hand from time to time – whilst offering good and safe circulation around. It designates ‘protected space’, performing a similar function to a rope or rail at an art gallery.  The rail houses eight up-lights which give optimal subtle illumination to the sculpture whilst making the barrier visible at night.

We are looking for two more qualified architects to join us in 2016. Further details on our careers page.

Planning permission has been granted at appeal for the construction of a new sports facility at University College School, London.  Construction of the new facility will begin in 2017.  The work involves improvements to the landscape and pitches, and a new pavilion straddling a public footpath through the site.

MBA are designing 16 new homes in Fairlight, near Hastings, Sussex, working with developers Gemselect, who have been developing award winning buildings throughout Kent and East Sussex for nearly 20 years. The Fairlight housing project will provide 16 new homes built to high standards of sustainability, on a constrained and wonderful valley site set one hill back from the sea.  Extensive consultation has been carried out with the local planing authority and with residents to ensure the right level of development and that the design properly reflects the local character. MBA made a careful study of local  Sussex vernacular housing and tile hanging in order to arrive at a 21st century version of the traditional Sussex house.

Planning and Listed Building Consent has been granted for alterations and a new events studio at the Chelsea Arts Club. A thorough conservation-led review of this led to a 21st century design.