Case Studies
Education Centre, National Gallery
Located within the National Gallery in central London, the Roden Centre for Creative Learning provides dedicated spaces for education, creativity, and public engagement. Discover how Cantifix delivered a complex glazing installation within one of the UK's most significant cultural institutions.
Type
Education, Heritage, Museum, Public
When
2025
About
Located within the National Gallery in central London, the Roden Centre for Creative Learning provides dedicated spaces for education, creativity, and public engagement.
Designed by Lawson Ward Studio and delivered by Sir Robert McAlpine, the project forms part of the gallery’s ongoing commitment to making art more accessible to visitors of all ages. Cantifix was appointed to deliver a specialist glazing package as part of the redevelopment.
The Challenge
Working within one of London's most significant cultural institutions presented a unique set of challenges. While the project required the installation of new glazing elements, the existing structure had undergone several alterations since its original construction.
The original glazing had been installed during works in the 1970s, but subsequent modifications, including the addition of a mezzanine floor, made conventional removal impossible. Existing units could not simply be removed through the original openings, requiring an alternative installation strategy to be developed.
Site access added a further layer of complexity. Located within a busy central London setting, there was insufficient space for large lifting equipment, while surrounding roads and pedestrian routes restricted working areas. Every stage of the project required careful planning and coordination to ensure the glazing could be installed safely and efficiently.
The Vision
Designed to inspire creativity, learning, and discovery.
The Roden Centre for Creative Learning was designed to provide a dedicated home for the National Gallery’s educational programmes, creating spaces that encourage creativity, learning, and engagement with art.
Lawson Ward Studio’s design balances openness with flexibility, creating a series of adaptable environments that can accommodate workshops, events, and educational activities for visitors of all ages.
Natural light plays an important role throughout the building, contributing to spaces designed to inspire curiosity, participation, and discovery.
The Glass
Cantifix delivered a series of vertical fixed frameless glazing walls as part of the project. Carefully integrated within the stone façade, the glazing forms a key part of the building's external envelope.
The installation required a highly considered approach. Restricted access and limited working space meant glazing units had to be manoeuvred into position from the side of the building.
Particular care was required during the removal of the existing glazing. Specialist methods were developed to bond aluminium supports to the glass, allowing units to be safely removed, rotated, and threaded through the available openings before the original framework could be replaced.
The result was a precise glazing installation that balanced modern design requirements with the constraints of an existing and heavily occupied cultural building.
The Results
The completed glazing contributes to a welcoming new frontage for the Roden Centre for Creative Learning. Carefully integrated within the stone architecture, the glazing strengthens the connection between the building and the public while maintaining the clarity and simplicity of the overall design.
Working alongside Lawson Ward Studio and Sir Robert McAlpine, Cantifix successfully delivered a complex glazing package within a challenging urban environment. Through careful planning, specialist installation techniques, and close coordination on site, the project demonstrates Cantifix’s ability to deliver high-quality glazing solutions within constrained and technically demanding settings.
The result is a high-quality glazing installation that supports the Roden Centre’s role as a dedicated space for learning, creativity, and public engagement.
