Institute of Psychoanalysis

A feasibility study to assess a world-leading institute’s core spatial needs and explore options including refurbishment, reconfiguration for leasing, relocation to central premises or sale to generate revenue.

Client Institute of Psychoanalysis
Sector Workplace
Size 2,200m²
Location Maida Hill, London

Home of the British Psychoanalytical Society, the Institute of Psychoanalysis was founded in 1924 to offer world-leading training, clinical services and academic research into the intensive talking therapy that is psychoanalysis.

The Institute owns Byron House in northwest London, a post-war mid-rise brick building, which is used as its headquarters for training, lectures, consultations and administration. However, over time the building has become inefficient, underused and costly to maintain.

We were appointed to assess The Institute’s core organisational and spatial needs and explore options for its future at Byron House or an alternative location.

Through the meticulous exploration of The Institute’s current and future needs in line with their strategic priorities, we were able to provide clarity on their brief and asset requirements, enabling the board to make informed decisions on their future.

Assessing strategic priorities

A primary focus in the briefing stage was aligning The Institute’s current strategic priorities with the role of their physical buildings.

Assessing the location and physical condition of Byron House in line with a drive to create a more accessible, national presence for The Institute was key.

We also worked to understand how post-Covid workspace shifts had impacted the continued use of public and administrative areas within the building.

Space needs were assessed on the basis of current use, minimum area to operate The Institute’s core requirements and an aspirational space that could maximise revenue streams.

Having meticulously interrogated the brief alongside our own research into current and future needs, we presented four options to the board: full refurbishment of Byron House, part refurbishment of Byron House, an alternative building which meets core space needs and an alternative building with core space needs and external facilities for hire.

Bubble plan mapping core needs

Exploring alternative uses

Our appointment was extended to undertake a further high-level study around alternative uses for Byron House and a test fit exercise for The Institute in a smaller central London building.

Based on a model for The Institute to relocate, we researched different scenarios include reconfiguring Byron House to release space for leasing, relocating to a more central rented premises to improve connections with members and candidates while supporting revenue generation, or disposing of and selling the property.

Our input allowed The Institute of Psychoanalysis to develop a contemporary business case and renewed purpose with a higher degree of certainty.

The revised brief – identifying base and aspirational needs – created a clearer instruction for property agents to search for a premises in central London which closely matched The Institute’s needs.

Credits

Architect Fathom Architects
Project Manager Jackson Coles

Project Information

Credits