To coincide with the 250th anniversary of its founding, the Royal Academy has opened after a major refit to join two buildings literally streets apart. The architect David Chipperfield was tasked with the project to link Burlington House on Piccadilly with the old Museum of Mankind in Burlington Gardens, doubling the size of the Royal Academy.

These walk-through shots were taken four days before the Royal Academy was re-opened to the general public. I have concentrated on the details, colours and finishes used, from sand-blasted brick to cast concrete.

Stripped-Back Vaults

The photographs start from a new walkway behind the huge, original grand staircase. The Vaults are a newly opened part of the old building. They have been stripped back to bare brick, then sandblasted to give the feeling of a modern basement. Original arches house sculptures and artworks from the Royal Academy’s archive. Two of the arches have been fitted with purpose-built cases beautifully crafted to fill the spaces.

New Marble and Concrete Staircase

Walking through two giant dark-wood doors we are taken back in time into the Weston Studio in the RA Schools. A new cast concrete and marble staircase takes us up to Weston Bridge. Here we get a view over a newly landscaped open-space and sculpture garden – The Lovelace Courtyard, previously a storage area for students at the RA Schools. Here we can see a back view of Burlington House, previously hidden to the public.

Walking through the McAulay Gallery we are taken to the original Burlington Gardens building and its own grand marble staircase. Here the original plaster work has been preserved and painted in subtle modern greys and taupes. Walking up the stairs takes us on the left hand side to The Collection Gallery where items from the Royal Academy’s archives are on display.