Chicago Booth
astudio was appointed for the design and fit-out of The University of Chicago Booth’s new campus building at One Bartholomew Close, City of London. With nearby St Paul’s Cathedral and the Museum of London, the school sits within the heart of London.
Designed to deliver MBA Europe Program; the new school comprises 43,000 sq ft teaching and support space across a ground, first and second floor. Key features of the project include space for two classrooms for up to 100 executive MBA students, varying sized meeting rooms, hospitality spaces and administrative space.
A new staggered internal staircase allows natural light to freely circulate through the three floors. Bringing the spaces together, a feature wall of alumni conveys the stature of the school as a source for inspiration for students.
The material palette throughout combines industrial raw dark grey steel with matte, naturally oiled, walnut used for wall linings, stair steps, joinery and doors as a modern take on the schools prestigious lineage. The existing limited floor to ceiling heights as well as indirect light and the acoustic requirements influence the ceiling geometry throughout the design of the two classrooms creating an inspiring space to nurture future world leaders.
