Royal Academy of Arts – London

Works for Knight Harwood 2023

The project involved the delivery of the full fire stopping and intumescent paint package for the refurbishment and transformation of the Royal Academy of Arts Schools in Piccadilly. Commissioned by Knight Harwood, the scheme revitalised the historic Grade II* listed building to create a fully accessible, flexible, and high-quality environment for staff and students.

Through sensitive restoration and enhancement of the original building fabric, the project introduced new facilities including studio suites, workshops, a library, commercial kitchen, canteen, and acoustically treated recording and performance spaces. The works also encompassed extensive structural alterations and the replacement of glazing and roof finishes to the Shaw and Smirke Studios.

GSI’s scope of works included:

• Chemical stripping and priming of existing paintwork from internal beams and columns
• Wet blasting of pre-stripped beams and columns
• Wet blasting works to brick walls
• Application of intumescent coatings to structural steelwork, including mezzanine steelwork
• Fire stopping to service penetrations throughout the building
• Completion of a Dry Film Thickness (DFT) report at the end of the works to verify coating application

The works were highly involved and required careful coordination to achieve a tested detail and a certified fire rating of 60 minutes across all treated elements. All works were carried out in compliance with the project’s heritage, safety, and performance requirements, and were carefully planned around the City of London’s 4 hour noise restrictions to minimise disruption to the surrounding area.

Materials used: Sherwin Williams, International & Nullifire