Few venues can claim both half a millennium of history and a place at the cutting edge of modern architecture, but RCP London Events, home of the Royal College of Physicians (RCP), does just that.

Founded in 1518 by Royal Charter from King Henry VIII, the RCP has had five homes in its long history, finally settling in Regent’s Park in 1964. Its striking headquarters was designed by renowned architect Sir Denys Lasdun, whose bold vision brought a new era of modernist architecture to the capital.

Lasdun was challenged to design a building that captured the essence of a forward-looking medical institution while honouring its prestigious heritage. The result was a brutalist masterpiece, one of only a handful of post-war buildings to be awarded Grade I listed status, recognised nationally for its cultural and architectural significance.

The building quickly gained acclaim, receiving the RIBA Bronze Medal in 1964, a Civic Trust Award in 1967 and later, in 1992, the RIBA Trustees Medal, which hailed it as: ‘the best architecture of its time anywhere in the world’.

Today, RCP London Events continues to evolve. Thoughtful renovations have modernised the venue to meet contemporary needs, enhancing accessibility, integrating technology and embedding sustainability, all while preserving Lasdun’s original vision.

Inside, the venue offers a seamless blend of historic and modern spaces. The Dorchester Library houses centuries-old medical texts, while versatile facilities include two tiered auditoriums, adaptable conference and exhibition areas, elegant dining rooms, a museum and even a medicinal garden which is home to over 1,100 plants with links to medicine for summer receptions.

RCP London Events isn’t just steeped in history, it is truly unique by design.

For more information contact: events@rcp.ac.uk