Reference visit to The Warburg Institute

8 April 2025

The visit offered an in-depth exploration of the Institute’s recent transformation. Presentations and tours were led by Haworth Tompkins’ Associate Director Dan Tassell and Associate Elizabeth Flower, supported by Laura Haylock and Nigel Hetherington, with additional insights from Peter Lin, Institute Manager at the Warburg.

Founded in 1900 by Aby Warburg, a pioneering art historian, The Warburg Institute is renowned for its interdisciplinary approach to cultural history. Its unique library classification system, devised by Warburg himself, organises the collection into four main themes: Image, Word, Orientation, and Action. This arrangement encourages serendipitous discovery, embodying Warburg’s “law of the good neighbour,” where each book complements those adjacent to it. 

Haworth Tompkins, celebrated for their sensitive work with distinguished and unconventional institutions, has meticulously revitalised the Charles Holden-designed building. The refurbishment introduces a purpose-built 140-seat lecture theatre, the Institute’s first public gallery-the Kythera Gallery-and enhanced teaching spaces. Notably, the infill of the central courtyard has created new reading rooms and storage areas, seamlessly blending modern functionality with the building’s historic character. The new interventions draw inspiration from Holden’s tube stations, with structural input from Price & Myers and the use of self-compacting concrete to precisely reinterpret Holden’s rationalist structure. Refurbished sapele timber screens and new joinery in matching timber complete the dialogue between old and new.

Attendees had the opportunity to experience the open-stack library first-hand, appreciating how the renewed spaces support interdisciplinary research and public engagement. The visit underscored the successful collaboration between The Warburg Institute and Haworth Tompkins, highlighting how thoughtful architectural intervention can honour historical legacy while embracing contemporary academic and civic needs.

Speakers 
Dan Tassell, Associate Director, Haworth Tompkins
Elizabeth Flower, Associate, Haworth Tompkins
Nigel Hetherington, Architect, Haworth Tompkins
Laura Haylock, Architect, Haworth Tompkins
Peter Lin, Institute Manager, The Warburg Institute.

The University Design Forum extends its thanks to The Warburg Institute and Haworth Tompkins for organising and sponsoring the event, to all the speakers and all those who supported the visit, and to the delegates for an excellent visit and discussion.

Written by and images credited to Rupert Cook.