The Royal College of Art (RCA) today announced that it has been awarded full planning permission for the comprehensive renewal of its iconic Kensington campus. The project's primary focus is the revitalisation of the College’s historic Grade II-listed Darwin Building, with the aim of transforming it into a modern environment suitable for world-leading art and design education.
The design, a collaborative effort led by Witherford Watson Mann Architects alongside Clementine Blakemore Architects, was developed through extensive consultation with the RCA community, Westminster City Council, and Historic England. This approach has achieved a careful balance between conservation and transformation, ensuring the protection of the RCA’s heritage while preparing its buildings for future generations of students.
Works commenced in 2025 and are being progressed in several phases, with the entire project scheduled for completion by 2032. This phased approach will allow the College to continue its teaching and research activities uninterrupted. Upon completion, these transformational works are expected to solidify the Kensington campus as a welcoming, open, and future-facing hub for creativity, reinforcing the RCA’s standing as the world’s leading university for art and design.
A significant next step in the plans involves the reinstatement of the historic 1851 Place entrance, which faces the Royal Albert Hall. This will create a striking new gateway, reconnecting the College with the renowned institutions along Exhibition Road. The project will also introduce new teaching and learning spaces, upgrade studios and workshops, and improve campus accessibility and public realm enhancements. These changes are intended to foster greater public engagement and offer local residents and visitors increased opportunities to experience the work of RCA students and staff.
The RCA has consistently been ranked as the world’s number one university for art and design for 12 consecutive years, according to the QS World University Rankings by Subject (2015–2026). To sustain its ambition as a leading institution, the College is investing in facilities designed to support its students, staff, and alumni in undertaking innovative work for decades to come.
The estimated cost for this project is approximately £90 million. This represents a substantial investment in the RCA’s future, which is also anticipated to generate longer-term savings through enhanced energy efficiency and campus consolidation. The project's scale reflects its ambition to preserve heritage buildings, deliver state-of-the-art facilities, and ensure the campus adheres to the highest standards of sustainability and accessibility.
