Goldsmiths’ Centre, Eagle Court, London

Forging the future of craftsmanship and design

A place where tradition, craftsmanship, and innovation come together to support the next generation of goldsmiths.

In 2007, The Goldsmiths’ Company approached us with a challenge: to create a £17.5 million education centre that would celebrate centuries of craftsmanship while equipping a new generation of goldsmiths with the skills to shape the future.

The location – just a stone’s throw from Hatton Garden, London’s historic jewellery district – demanded sensitivity. This building was not just about education; it was about legacy. Our task was to design a space that both honoured the past and embraced the future.

Blending Heritage with Innovation

The project brings together old and new in a way that feels natural yet striking. The site includes a Grade II listed Victorian school, which we adapted and restored, alongside a new-build structure on the footprint of a demolished 1960s extension.

Initially, the client’s vision was for the new wing to echo the school’s traditional brickwork. But we saw an opportunity to push the design further with a more expressive approach, using metal cladding that would nod to the goldsmithing trade itself. Brass panels, rich in warmth and depth, will subtly evolve over time, developing a patina that reflects the craftsmanship happening within. 

We knew that by using metal, we could create a dialogue between tradition and modernity, rather than an imitation of the past. Elsewhere, materials were chosen to complement this balance of old and new. York stone cladding, brings a natural warmth, while projecting brass-capped windows add rhythm and depth. 

Modern building with glass and black panel facade, next to an older brick building, with people walking and sitting outside at a cafe.

A Workshop for Creativity

At its heart, the Goldsmiths’ Centre is a hub of learning, collaboration, and innovation. It was designed to house:

  • Postgraduate education spaces for advanced training.

  • Start-up studios for emerging businesses to establish themselves.

  • Craft workshops where silversmiths and apprentices could refine their techniques.

  • A shared atrium and exhibition space to encourage dialogue between established artisans and the next generation of makers.

  • Interactive ground floor entry space for the public with an excellent café, The Bench, and accessible exhibition areas.

Inside, the building is thoughtfully divided. Behind solid partitions, experienced craftspeople work with focus and precision. Meanwhile, on the other side of the atrium, apprentices share an open-plan studio, fostering a sense of community and collaboration.

Every space was carefully considered not just for function, but for inspiration. From flexible group-learning areas to quieter corners for intense craftwork, the centre was designed to support both the precision and the artistry of the trade

A Lasting Legacy

Opened in April 2012 by HRH Princess Alexandra, the Goldsmiths’ Centre was met with critical acclaim, winning the Islington Society ‘Building of the Year’ Award and a prestigious RIBA Award.

What makes this project truly special is its unique fusion of education, trade, and culture. More than just a training centre, it’s a beacon for the future of craftsmanship, designed to appeal to young makers while safeguarding an age-old industry.

Today, the Goldsmiths’ Centre continues to train and inspire—from apprentices honing traditional techniques to entrepreneurs pioneering the next chapter of British goldsmithing. We’re proud to have played a part in shaping this legacy.

“The outcome is a fantastic piece of architecture and we now have a state of the art building that respects its Victorian origins whilst being fit for our 215 Century uses. 

The number of awards, etc. that the building has received are testament to what can happen when the architect and client work together on a scheme and are equally passionate about the outcome.”

Peter Taylor, Director
The Goldsmiths’ Centre

People dining in a modern restaurant with large arched windows, pendant lighting, and a mix of seated patrons and staff serving customers.
A person walking in front of a large wooden door inside a building with beige tiled walls and sunlight casting shadows.
Modern multi-story building with beige and dark brown exterior walls, glass balconies, and large glass windows, with a person walking on the sidewalk in front.
Architectural section drawing of a multi-story building with detailed interior layout, adjacent to a traditional single-family house, including a person walking and a person riding a bicycle.
Brass panels clad the new-build extension and modern archway of Goldsmiths' Centre to the left, the Grade II listed Victorian school to the right with arched windows, with people sitting outside a café and pedestrians walking past, under a blue sky.

“LBY Architects should be praised for providing a contemporary facility for an age-old institution”

Cate St Hill, Blueprint Magazine

Quote…

Modern interior with glass ceiling, beige walls, wooden doors, and informational displays along the wall.
Interior of a modern building with exposed brick walls, glass ceiling panels, and display cases.
  • The entrance to Goldsmiths' Centre, with dark archway, showing a mix of the Grade II listed Victorian school with arched windows together with new materials, with people sitting outside a café and a woman walking on the sidewalk, under a blue sky.
  • Empty conference room with white chairs and large windows showing an outdoor balcony and cityscape.
  • Empty conference room with white chairs arranged in rows, large windows with natural light, and a projector on the ceiling.
Two people working at a cluttered workbench in a workshop or lab, with tools, paper, and equipment. One person, a woman, is on the left, and a man, wearing a red shirt, is on the right, both focused on their tasks.
Modern multi-story building with large black-framed windows, beige stone facade, and black metal roof, situated between older brick buildings in an urban area under a clear blue sky.
Empty conference room with white walls, large windows, and a white rectangular table surrounded by white chairs.

The details

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Client: The Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths
Location: Clerkenwell
Completion: 2011
Building Type: Education and Arts
Contractor: Balfour Beatty
Value: £17m

APPROACH & INFLUENCE

Project Type: Arts education, exhibition and cultural design

Design Approach: Integration of modern and historic fabric, display and placemaking

AWARDS & RECOGNITION

Islington Society ‘Building of the Year’ 2012

Royal Institute of British Architects Award (RIBA) 2012

Civic Trust Award 2014

PRESS COVERAGE & ARTICLES

Building Design July 2011

Blueprint Magazine September 2012

Architects Journal October 2012

AT Handbook October 2012


LINKS

goldsmiths-centre.org

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