British Embassy Paris refurbishment completed

Heritage

Beatrix Young

Bea heads up the residential team bringing nearly 20 years’ experience leading multidisciplinary teams covering a broad range of project types and budgets. She is currently overseeing a range of projects from housing-led mixed-use schemes for both private developers and local authorities, to commercial and civic projects such as Bank OSD and the design and fit-out of the prestigious British Embassy in Paris.

See more from Beatrix Young

06 Nov 2023

We have completed a major refurbishment of one of the jewels of the UK’s diplomatic crown – the British Embassy in Paris.

The British Embassy, located alongside the Elysée Palace on the Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, is one of the most important UK Government buildings in the world. We were appointed in 2018 to lead the architectural design for the project, with the objective of modernising the entire building and maximising flexibility with increased usable workspace within the existing building envelope, improving circulation and wayfinding, and providing open-plan office spaces and high quality meeting rooms to accommodate modern working practices.

Office space was remodelled by removing internal partitions and barriers, as part of a programme that has improved collaboration between teams by integrating the consular office into the main embassy building, creating a central hub for all UK Government activities in Paris. The ground floor was adapted to create a new conference suite, a new foyer chandelier and artwork has enhanced the main entrance, and previously hidden historic ceilings have been revealed and restored, further elevating the embassy’s impressive interiors. A comprehensive internal redecoration programme has seen new finishes, fixtures and fittings incorporated throughout, we sensitively employed a palette of bronze, steel and natural finishes such as stone, marble and timber to emphasise both the classical proportions of the existing fabric while creating elegant yet robust interiors that can serve the embassy well for many years to come.

A major intervention saw the introduction of two new staircases to improve movement and circulation throughout the building. The first is a continuous floating timber stair inspired by the stone stairs of the adjacent Residence, while the second is a striking folded perforated red steel staircase that not only addresses practical needs, but is also intended to reflect UK design and manufacturing expertise.

A survey of the building’s façade was conducted to address water ingress and crumbling masonry, resulting in a comprehensive renovation of the south façade overlooking the garden.

The building remained occupied throughout four programme phases, allowing embassy operations to continue uninterrupted except for a brief three month pause during the Covid-19 pandemic. The completion of the project was marked by HM The King during his state visit to France in September 2023, when he and President Macron planted a tree in the embassy gardens.

The high quality was recongised with a commendment at the Government Property Awards 2023.

The British Embassy project in Paris demonstrates our ability to lead high-profile remodelling and fit-out projects with a focus on efficiency, sensitivity and innovation. It has been a privilege to work with our project partners and the embassy team on such a prestigious building, and enormously satisfying to have given it a new lease of life and support the UK’s diplomatic presence in Paris.

Beatrix Young, WW+P

Weston Williamson + Partners were the project architects for the Modernisation Project at the British Embassy in Paris. This was a thorough refurbishment of this 18th century building to bring it up to modern standards introducing flexible, open plan offices in many areas, improved and new fire escape provisions, and opening up of the building to reveal its original structure and form. This also included refurbishment of kitchens and toilets and formation of new meeting and break out spaces. This opening up on the ground floor created a multi purpose conference and reception facility which revealed historic and ornate decorated ceilings, which were carefully restored. WW+P created an imaginative office environment with modern lighting fixtures, new chandelier and other fittings blending the historic with the modern. The design was a great success, and the WW+P team worked well with other disciplines and the PM to deliver a very successful project, which was formally opened by the King in September 2023.

Nigel Carter Project Director, Estates, Security & Network Directorate, FCDO

Beatrix Young

See more from Beatrix Young

News

We have completed a new residential development in Peckham for Southwark Council, delivering 109 new homes for social rent and shared ownership, alongside significant improvements to the public realm on the North Peckham Estate. The development is the latest in a series of new housing developments within the Council’s ambitious development programme which is building thousands of new council homes across the borough.

Barking Riverside and Paddington finalists at Architecture Journal Awards

News

The 2023 AJ Awards shortlist has been announced and we are very proud to be part of the awards with two projects. We are finalists with Barking Riverside and Paddington Elizabeth Line Station both in the Infrastructure and Transport Project category!

View all News

British Embassy Paris refurbishment completed

British Embassy Paris refurbishment completed

British Embassy Paris refurbishment completed