Pumphandle Social Space, London School Of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
The recently completed ‘Pumphandle Social’ project has transformed the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine’s (LSHTM) Bloomsbury campus into a vibrant new hub for students and staff. This marks the second major collaboration between LSHTM and Rock Townsend under the school’s consultancy framework.
A central element of the project was the reinvention of a formerly underutilized courtyard. A classroom blocking access to the space was replaced with the BIG STEPS, a striking architectural feature that enhances circulation, creates a social hub, and serves as a venue for lectures, talks, and town hall meetings. The BIG Steps not only improve wayfinding to the atrium but also act as the campus’s “beating heart,” linking the ground and lower-ground floors.
The core brief requirement was for a vision for community, to provide a place to ‘encourage staff and students to want to return to the building post pandemic in order to more fully engage with the LSHTM community’ J. Starmer, LSHTM Director of Estates, 2022. Core objectives included:
Intuitive wayfinding
Connection to nature
Flexibility
Future-proof design
High-quality space
Low carbon solutions
Cost-effectiveness
Minimal campus disruption
Spaces that “work well and feel good”
The design supports a wide range of activities, from flexible working and informal meetings to team collaborations and individual study. Key features include versatile breakout spaces, movable glazed partitions for adaptability, and careful acoustic design to accommodate simultaneous events. This variety allows the space to transition effortlessly between casual use and larger events.
Lower Ground / Basement Floor LayoutConcept sketch for the BIG stepsSectional study
The design prioritises creating an inviting and inspirational space to attract and retain staff and students beyond traditional lunch hours. Key interventions include:
Removing existing ceilings to increase volume and natural light
Enhancing visibility and nature connections through the BIG Steps
Incorporating controllable lighting and improved acoustics
Utilizing a subtle palette of timber and recycled materials
Adding planting and biophilic elements
Providing diverse furniture options, both fixed and loose.
Acoustics were carefully managed to balance the bustling catering area with quieter social and working zones. The central space, with its hard surfaces and high reverberation, was optimized for small gatherings, events, and lectures. Acoustic cladding on kitchen ductwork—designed with an abstract insect wing motif—offers a subtle nod to LSHTM’s world-renowned malaria research.
Rock Townsend collaborated extensively with stakeholders to deliver a functional and inviting space. The result is a hub that not only meets practical needs but fosters a sense of community and belonging within the LSHTM campus.
Insect wing motif cladding
Left and below. Bar / Servery area with terrazzo floor throughout
Left and below. Flexible social space with variety of seating areas to suit different activities throughout the day and into the evening.
Sustainability was integral to the project, aligning with LSHTM’s commitment to achieving net-zero carbon goals. Highlights include:
Retaining existing materials and structure to minimize waste
Conducting an embodied carbon assessment, achieving a rating of 153kgCO₂/m², in line with UK-NZCBS 2040 targets
Incorporating biophilic finishes and furniture made from reclaimed materials, contributing to a SKA Silver rating
Replacing outdated systems with energy-efficient services to reduce long-term operational energy use
Prioritizing natural daylight over artificial lighting for energy efficiency and improved wellbeing
left. aerial view of London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine; middle. southern entrance 1929; right. view of LSHTM south facade 1929.
Ground Floor LayoutBasement Floor LayoutAxonometric
Description: Refurbishment of Social Space
Client: London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM)
Floor Area: 1,200SqM
Project Value: £3.7m
Status: completed September 2024
Photography: Matt Clayton
RT Team: Cezara Misca, Kiran Milton, Lauren McCann, Mark Gabbey, Peter Phillipps, Richard Sharp, Sally Thompson, Tim Robinson.
