Ashley Smith FOA's Ravenshourne School

The Ravensbourne school project, by Foreign Office Architects (FOA), began as an idea from lead architect Alejandro Zaera. Originally interested in the tessellating patterns, such as the Penrose tiling pattern, Zaera and his team created a completely new and unique (now patented) pattern. This concept connected to the school itself in a variety of ways.

FOA wanted to pay homage to the school’s origins of the arts and crafts movement, specifically to William Morris (tessellations and wallpaper patterns). After discussing the concept with the school’s director, FOA moved toward a more modern approach. The concept changed to future technology (what the school is currently known for). By incorporating new technology to create the tiles (computers, cnc router) and referencing the iconography of computer technology (tiles are reminiscent of pixilation or computer rendering), the concept was brought into the future.

The design team used computers to create the unique pattern. The tiles and overall pattern are a result of a mathematical system specifically developed for the project (the tiles are a variation of Roger Penrose’s aperiodic pentagonal tiling) Once the mathematical system was developed, the tiles and subsequent pattern were modified to fit the building exterior. Then the penetrations were determined. Due to the unique tiling, various sizes of round penetrations were constructed.

Round openings were used as a way to further the building’s ambiguity. FOA wanted the building to have a sense of mystery. Unlike many modern buildings, Ravensbourne’s internal organization is not clearly visible from the exterior. This is achieved by the exterior pattern, the unusual round windows, and winding internal structure.

Because the school encourages collaboration and open learning, the building needed to reflect these modern ideals and enhance communication. By eliminating the usual flat, linear floor levels, FOA constructed split-level floors. The floors wind up the structure vertically, so there is no single floor or real separation between classes.

The materials used in this project are industrial. The exterior is cladded in adonized aluminum tiles in three different colors and sizes and the interior is comprised of steel, concrete, and metal mesh. Unlike the detailed, patterned exterior, the interior is sparse and plain. This, however, leaves the students an open, clean, space, allowing for better communication, learning, and creating.