education
Foreign Office Architects, 2010
6 Penrose Way, Greenwich Peninsula, SE10 0EW
Ravensbourne is a dynamic institution at the intersection of creativity, business, and technology. Based in the heart of North Greenwich, we are home to a diverse, global community. We learn with industry; industry learns with us. Together we transform lives. With our facilities and strong industry connections, we empower students with the skills, experience and connections needed to thrive.
North Greenwich
Charlton, Greenwich, Maze Hill, West Ham, Westcombe Park
188, 108, 129, 161, 486, 132, 180, 422, 472
River: Uber Boat North Greenwich pier IFS Cloud Cable Car
The entrance of the building is opposite to the O2 on the north side.
It is a walking tour from top to bottom of the building. The building counts with four lifts that will allow organise the tour groups.
Guided tour
10:00–11:30
Walk and talk. Welcome visitors with a small talk on the building and institution, and a tour from the rooftop to the ground floor.
How to book
Please create a free visitor account to book your festival tickets.
Guided tour
12:00–13:30
Walk and talk. Welcome to visitors with a small talk on the building and institution, and tour from the rooftop to the ground floor.
How to book
Please create a free visitor account to book your festival tickets.
Guided tour
14:00–15:30
Walk and talk. Welcome to visitors with a small talk on the building and institution, and tour from the rooftop to the ground floor.
How to book
Please create a free visitor account to book your festival tickets.
The 17,000m2 structure, which provides specialist teaching facilities for 5,000 students as well as 400 members of staff — has been designed to stimulate the local environment and the working practices of future professionals in creative economies.
The building had to fit into a masterplan dominated by the Dome and comprising a series of crescent-like radiating bars. Because of the funding structure of the college, the building also had to be convertible into an office building. (2010, Alejandro Zaera-Polo)
The facade features 28,000 anodised aluminium tiles which are wrapped around the entire structure. They are made up of Penrose tiling, a complex but non-repetitive pattern invented by Sir Roger Penrose, an Oxford university professor. This abstract pattern has allowed the design team to build seven different types of windows out of only three different tiles.
The pattern of the tiles is determined by the size and positioning of window openings, while the size of windows depends on the corresponding interior function.
The building is roughly rectangular with a slight crank on plan down the middle. Internally the building is then divided into three main sectors, with both the east and west wings constructed with concrete, while in the middle, straddling the crank, there is a central wedge constructed with steel and precast planks. The central wedge or hub, remains largely exposed leaving the steelwork as an architectural feature.
The atria have been systematically attached to the external façade in order not only to use them as ventilation spaces, but also to connect visually to the core of the building. The north atrium extends upwards from ground floor level to third floor, while the adjacent southern atrium sits above a lecture theatre and media centre and consequently begins at third floor level, extending upwards to the roof.
Drop in
art studio, concert/performance space, education, health, theatre
The building, designed by Mole Architects, comprises a top-lit, 2,000 square foot rehearsal studio, open-plan office, music production studio. Constructed entirely from timber, clad in weathered corten steel and designed to limit energy consumption.
Mole Architects, 2022
Drop in
art studio, event, open site, offices, mixed use, miscellaneous, media
Come and see our light filled Studio & Office space and find out more about what we do at The Photography Foundation! Browse our Trainee photography zines and meet our welcoming Staff Members.
Mole Architect, 2021
