In the 1960s the
London School of Economics acquired a
building on Portugal Street that had
been home to W. H. Smith. They
remodeled that building to accommodate
their library and renamed it the Lionel
Robbins Building.
In 1999 Foster + Partners were
commissioned to redevelop the building
again. As the LSE's website
explains that this, "...
featured the main atrium being
driven through to the basement,
housing a helical ramp and a pair of
glass lifts. ....
... A dome caps the atrium, cut at
an angle to admit northern light,
allowing maximum daylight
penetration without problems of
glare and solar gain. The
refurbishment also added an extra
500 student workplaces, and new
accommodation for the school’s
Research Centres."
Foster's website adds
that, "Daylight is drawn in via a
glazed dome, which caps the atrium.
The dome is cut at an angle
corresponding to the path of the
mid-summer sun and the cutaway
section is glazed to allow maximum
daylight penetration without
problems of glare and solar gain.
The dome also assists natural
ventilation: air drawn in through
windows at the perimeter, rises
naturally as it warms and escapes
through vents in the domes
glazing. Book-shelves radiate
from the atrium to create clearly
defined passageways, ...
... and quiet
study areas are positioned at the
perimeter of each floor.
... A new fifth floor accommodates
the Research Centre, which has its own
entrance.”