Foreign Office Architects, founded in 1995 by Alejandro Saera-Polo and Farshid Moussavi, who previously worked for Rem Koolhaas, fell apart this spring. Each of the former partners has already created their own bureau, and they also managed to share projects under development. But while their joint buildings still receive awards and are published in the press, the "sign" of the FOA remains relevant, even if only formally.
Ravensbourne College, which educates in digital media and design, has moved to Greenwich, right next to Richard Rogers' O2 dome, from the low-profile Bromley. A more lively environment should facilitate a quick and natural immersion of students in a professional environment.
The building itself is a compact volume, whose structure and size is concealed by the ornament evenly covering the facades (it is based on historical textile patterns and on Gothic rose windows). The ornament is made of ceramic tiles of three colors and three shapes. Round window openings are also arranged rhythmically, regardless of the structure of the interior space. And it is based on a combination of two atriums facing the facade (which allows them to be ventilated and illuminated in a natural way) and connecting all public spaces (terraces) and building levels.
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