Vision of a new Commonwealth

New plans to revamp the former Commonwealth Institute building in Holland Park were unveiled today.

The proposals will see the main building - soon to be the new home for the Design Museum - turned into a 100,000 sq ft exhibition area called the Parabola.

And three new luxury housing blocks, containing 70 flats, will be built in the vicinity of the museum.

The new plans have been designed by Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas to help bosses at the Design Museum attract 400,000 visitors a year to the 1960s Grade II listed building in Kensington High Street.

The Commonwealth Institute has remained empty since 2001 and three years ago the then Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell rejected a proposal to de-list the building in order to allow it to be demolished.

But last year it was announced the site would be used as the new location for the Design Museum would be move from its present home near Tower Bridge.

Under the proposals submitted to Kensington and Chelsea council, developers Chelsfield and site freeholder the Ilchester Estate want to open-up and strengthen the existing tent-like building.

They also want to alter parts of the interior of the building and remove the long oblong administration block, covered walkway, flagpoles and the garden area.

But the proposals have immediately sparked a massive row as heritage and local campaign groups slammed the developers for failing to retain much of the original design.

The Twentieth Century Society, which lobbies to preserve post-war buildings, told Building Design magazine it was "dismayed" that the plans preserve little of the existing building save for the glazed walls and roof.

Caseworker Jon Wright said: "This is not a satisfactory, conservation-led approach for a grade II listed site of international importance.

"The Society has been engaged with the developers for 18 months regarding these proposals and in that time has repeatedly underlined our concerns. It is regrettable that our efforts to engage with the developers have not led to a conservation-led application.

"In specifying the Design Museum as a potential end-user, the developers have tried to justify huge changes to the interior spaces. If the museum does require this drastic alteration, then the Society perceive them as unsuitable occupants."

The society has also been joined by fellow groups including Save Britain's Heritage in warning the council that the historic building is under threat.

But the developers insist the project is "respectful" of the original scheme's heritage and setting.

A spokesman for Chelsfield Partners and the Ilchester Estate said: "The new buildings continue the modern spirit of boldness and ingenuity of the original but are carefully respectful of the Parabola and also the setting of Holland Park and Kensington High Street. The building's refurbishment and new use will give a neglected London icon a new life and purpose."

The spokesman also said the designers of the new building have been assisted by Lord Cunliffe, part of the original architectural team responsible for the building.

A public consultation has now been launched and Kensington and Chelsea council plans to make its decision by mid-July.

English Heritage refused to comment directly on the plans, saying they would review them in due course.

A spokesman for English Heritage said: "The Commonwealth Institute is one of London's most significant post war buildings and English Heritage fully supports the principle of development of the site. We will give the application very careful and thorough consideration."

The Commonwealth Institute charity was set up in the 19th century for education and scientific research, mainly for industrial development in Commonwealth countries.

In 1962 the present building replaced the old Imperial Building in South Kensington and was designed to house permanent exhibitions.

The building, known for its swooping copper roof, has been empty since 2004 when the institute closed its exhibition of Commonwealth culture.

ends

The grade II listed building is to become the new home for the Design Museum, currently located in Shad Thames