King's College London: The Queen opens Somerset House East Wing

Her Majesty The Queen today officially opened Somerset House East Wing, the new front door to King’s College London. 180 years after King’s was built on the Strand, the College has realised its long-held ambition to move into the East Wing. King’s has breathed new life into the building which will be restored to its original status as a landmark London public building, refurbished to the highest standards with its architectural harmony enhanced and public access improved.

The Queen, Patron of the College, accompanied by The Duke of Edinburgh, was escorted through the Grade I listed building by Lord Douro, Chairman of King’s College Council, and Professor Sir Rick Trainor, the College Principal. The building is the new home for the School of Law and The Queen watched a student Moot Court in session before meeting staff and students from the School. She also visited the Inigo Rooms, a dedicated cultural space. At the end of the visit The Queen unveiled a plaque to formally open the re-furbished building.

The official launch of Somerset House East Wing comes after 18 months of restoration, which began when King’s secured a 78 year lease for the building in 2009. The interior has been stripped of alterations made over the years, new lifts have been installed and the basement floor lowered. Original features, such as cornices and fireplaces, have been refurbished. The interior decoration has been carefully conceived to complement the historic setting of the building. Designers have re-introduced colours in keeping with the Georgian style, whilst creating a fresh and modern interior suited to a working building for the 21st century.

Original source here.