Gaunt Francis’s connections with the Institute of Engineering & Technology (‘The IET’) go back a long way. In 2008 the practice was commissioned to renovate and overhaul Savoy Hill House, which was originally intended to provide staff accommodation and to connect to the IET HQ in Savoy Place. However, at completion this scheme was independently let as a high quality contemporary workspace on the open market. The Trustees and IET management then turned their attention to the much larger 8,950m2 main building, which was a significant but under-performing asset. Gaunt Francis’s commission was to prepare a brief, design concept and client budget for a major remodeling, centred around future use as a conference centre. The building’s location overlooking the Thames and Waterloo Bridge gave ample opportunity for extensive south-facing river views and grand terraces, and it had the further benefit of being adjacent to the Savoy Hotel and with a generous front entrance fronting Victoria Embankment Gardens.