Following an ambitious fundraising campaign during the pandemic, work has now begun on restoring Sir John Soane's Drawing Office, the oldest surviving example of an architectural drawing office of its kind.

Completion in early 2023 will allow visitors to the Soane to explore the Office for the first time. We will also introduce new interactive virtual tours and interpretation to enable digital audiences from around the world to discover more of the Museum online than ever before. 

Gallery: the Drawing Office, before restoration

A model of Lothbury Court sits among the antiquities featured in Soane's Drawing Office. + The walls of the Office are decorated with casts of architectural features. + The walls of the Office are decorated with casts of architectural features. + Casts of architectural features adorn the walls. + A full width view of the Office, with skylights illuminating the collections on the walls. + The view down from the Drawing Office, to the Dome Room and Crypt. +

There's going to be so much to share with you as this project proceeds over 2022 and beyond. Get the latest news direct by joining our newsletter.

Latest news

Artist at Soane

Through a new residency programme, artists and makers will be able to take inspiration from working in the Drawing Office, just as Soane’s pupils once did. Starting in the Spring of 2023, two residents will be hosted annually, for three months each, during the Spring and the Autumn. 

In addition to working in dry materials in the Office, residents will be able to draw inspiration from the Museum’s collections, archive, library, exhibitions and education programme, related scholarship, or commercial operations. 

Residents will receive a fee and support from staff across the Museum over the three-month residency period. 

Applications are now closed. Find out more by clicking the news story below or visit our residency portal.

Re-installation set to begin in October

On 10 and 11 October, restored decorations – including casts of classical architectural features – will be returning to the walls of the Drawing Office, beginning a process of re-installation that will run through until spring 2023. Look out for updates on this page and our social media channels.