Goldsmiths’ Company
From Roman temple to Goldsmith’s Hall
The Goldsmiths’ Company was established in 1327 and is built above the remarkable remains of a Roman temple in Foster Lane, London. Its current building, a Scheduled Monument, was designed by Philip Hardwick in 1835. The Hall offers space for lectures, events and conferences, and includes accommodation on its upper floors. The Company is the historic centre for metalwork in the City of London and has an ongoing cultural and charitable role.
Nick Cox is the retained architect and has been advising on many aspects of work to the Hall over the last ten years, including new heating and lighting systems and display cases. Detailed fabric research was undertaken to carry out a whole-scale refurbishment and re-decoration of the Livery Hall, the largest room at the building and the principal event space. This incorporated new M&E services including lighting and sound systems. Current activities comprise provision of equal access and reconfiguration of the Assay office entrance and associated rooms for public use.
As a scheduled monument all alterations are subject to the highest level of scrutiny in relation to obtaining consents. We are working closely with the Historic England inspector and have formulated a plan of development that satisfies the client requirements and is also acceptable in relation to the historic fabric.
