Institute Of Education, Clore Institute Of Advanced Legal Studies And Accommodation For University College

University teaching building on the west side of Bedford Way, designed by Denys Lasdun and Partners and built between 1970 and 1976, with an extension added between 1990 and 1993 also by Sir Denys Lasdun and Partners.

The building is constructed in situ reinforced concrete with precast mullions, clad in prefabricated bronze-anodised aluminium panels and window sections. It stands six storeys above ground with three basement storeys (numbered 1 to 9 in 1999) and has a flat, paved roof. The plan comprises a long spinal range with a wing to the rear; footings for a second wing were incorporated during the 1990–93 extension. The building forms a strong barrier to the traffic of Bedford Way while continuing the concept of flexible teaching space already explored at the University of East Anglia, Norwich.

The large basement contains the Logan Hall lecture theatre positioned under the forecourt facing Lasdun's extension to the School of Oriental and African Studies opposite, conference facilities, students' union facilities, and service entrance. The split-level entrance hall gives access to the library, drama studio and bookshop, with flexible teaching areas above mainly facing the street and tutorial rooms mainly facing the courtyard and wing.

The western elevation displays Lasdun's mature language of strata and towers, with a grid of aluminium panels and glazing set over a concrete plinth, and massively over-scaled concrete staircase towers. On the eastern elevation facing Bedford Way, the entrance floors are set back behind an exposed frame with cut-back corners that demonstrate the smooth, sharp concrete particularly forcefully. The single spur that was built is highly sculptural, with a striking silhouette formed by angular concrete escape stairs rising above the floor levels and curtain walling. The 1990–93 extension adopts a similar system of anodised aluminium and glass but with more pronounced glazing bars and three pyramidal roof lights that clearly indicate the new work. Entrance doors are set in anodised aluminium surrounds. A new entrance on Bedford Way, reached by steps, was installed by Lasdun in 1993.

The interiors are simple but the quality of concrete finishes is exemplary throughout. The upper teaching spaces were designed to be flexible and continue to be altered regularly, a tribute to the success of the original concept. The lift lobbies show Lasdun's finishes at their best. The entrance hall and principal stair to the lecture theatre are of particular interest. This staircase, set in a deep well with giant columns, is a version in smooth concrete with brick treads of his earlier ceremonial stair at the Royal College of Physicians in Regent's Park, featuring concrete walls and balustrade. The entrance hall, with pavioured floors, operates on two main levels corresponding to the different levels of Bedford Way and the square behind. Separate stairs lead down to the bookshop on the lower level.

The building was commissioned in 1960 when the University of London, discouraged from further expansion in the post-war years, nevertheless recognised that certain departments including Education, Law and the School of Oriental and African Studies required enlarged facilities. Lasdun was asked to develop the concept of a spinal range along Bedford Way and to its north, which had been published by Sir Leslie Martin and Trevor Dannatt the previous year. His task was to integrate the new buildings within an existing urban fabric, whose pattern of Georgian squares was belatedly being appreciated. Lasdun's scheme preserved more terraces than earlier proposals and created a new square between his two buildings, much of it formed over the basement lecture theatre. The relationship between the spine building and the SOAS pavilion is paramount to his scheme.

The building was formally opened by the Queen in 1977. Although constructed to a grid, Lasdun's architecture demonstrates his interest in planes and interpenetrating masses, and his belief in pure form and modelling. His synthesis of the modern movement of the 1930s, inspired by working with Wells Coates and Berthold Lubetkin, combined with his unique understanding of the formalism of the later generation of New Brutalists, makes him a comparable figure to Louis Kahn. This is demonstrated particularly well here. The building forms a contrasting mass to the square pavilion of Lasdun's extension to the School of Oriental and African Studies, with which it forms an exceptionally strong group.