Bonhams Headquarters

Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands has completed the new global headquarters for Bonhams at the auctioneer’s historic New Bond Street site in Mayfair, in the heart of London.

The new building is a piece of contemporary architecture inserted to knit together Bonham’s existing collection of buildings and provide a spacious setting that enhances the experience of viewing art and artefacts of all sizes.

Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands’ challenge was to create flexible accommodation on an extraordinarily tight, city centre site in a conservation area and linked to an existing listed building.

Passing through the narrow entrance of Bonhams on 101 New Bond Street, visitors are treated to a light-filled atrium that rises to the entire 18.5 metre height of the existing building, that will be used for temporary installations.

The three salerooms are arranged as a vertical stack of generously proportioned, flexible spaces that can host both auction and exhibition. Each saleroom is day-lit via the glazed lift shafts and internal windows. Natural light is augmented by a lighting system recessed into the vaulted soffit, which provides adjustable colour-controlled background lighting.

In Haunch of Venison Yard, Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands’ facade encloses a new landscaped courtyard that is served by a café and brasserie in a spur building.

Bonhams New Bond Street Headquarters, London
Program: auction house
Architects: Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands
Client: Bonhams

Services Engineer: Mott MacDonald

Structural Engineer: AKT II

Main Contractor: Knight Harwood
Completion: 2013