Royal Academy of Arts commissions members’ lounge room

The Academicians’ Room, located in the Keeper’s House at the RA, will be designed by architect Martin Brudnizki Design Studio (MBDS), and will be used by art academics and artists.

The design will draw inspiration from the “traditional English drawing room”, says Pascale Belot, design director at MBDS, while also incorporating “playful” elements.

The interior design will combine vintage furniture from a “range of periods”, she says, such as an antique zinc bar with brass bar stools upholstered in pink leather, a sofa covered in emerald mohair, and two-tiered chandeliers. It will also include a rotating display of work from Royal Academicians.

“We want to convey the eclecticism and mystery of an artist’s drawing room,” Belot says. “Key to the design was creating the feeling of a collector, who covets interesting design and surrounds themselves with furniture they have accumulated over the years.”

The architect says the space will be for relaxation and enjoyment as an “extension of the members’ home”, to be used in-between exhibitions, for meetings or to have drinks before dinner.

The space will also be used to host monthly events curated by RA Schools students, and for limited use by members of London’s private members society the Groucho Club.

Originally built in the 1870s, The Keeper’s House reopened to the public in 2013 following a £6.5 million redevelopment project, undertaken by Long & Kentish and David Chipperfield Architect.

The building holds artworks by Royal Academicians including Grayson Perry, Tracey Emin and Allen Jones.

The Academicians’ Room is set to open in September 2015.