Dezeen School Shows: a renovation of a church that utilises intertwining screens to create a maze-like interior is included in Dezeen's latest school show by students at Ravensbourne University London.

Also featured is a project that explores using unconventional strategies for therapy and rehabilitation, and a former neglected bathhouse that has been transformed into a co-working facility.

Ravensbourne University London

Institution: Ravensbourne University London
School: Department of Architecture
Courses: BA (Hons) Architecture, BA (Hons) Interior Design Environment Architectures, BA (Hons) Urban Landscape Architecture and Master of Architecture
Tutors: Alberto Villanueva, Luke Murray, Hwei Fan Liang, Polina Pencheva, Dhara Bhatt, Darren Stacey, Kay Sedki, Tim Jeffery, Hannah Barnsley and Louis Riches

School statement:

"The Department of Architecture at Ravensbourne University London offers students a unique opportunity to study, learn and create within an industry-immersed creative environment.

"Our student-centred programmes focus on the next generation of architects and designers to imagine and shape solutions to address and make a positive impact on the current social and climate issues.

"Our architecture, interiors and landscape students collaborate and learn in a unique cluster that is surrounded by disciplines across creative economies. It is a space where film, games or fashion influence their unique skillset.

"We challenge our students through live briefs and industry collaboration to design solutions that transform communities with a social and sustainable approach."

Play at the Playtower by Kristiāna Genca

"Play at the Playtower is a project that aims to reawaken the fading charm of a Grade II-listed historic structure by exploring the future of the working environment.

"Inspired by the changes brought by Covid-19, this project explores how work and private life can coexist in the same space.

"As a response, a multi-functional sports centre and co-working space for parents have been integrated into a former bathhouse that has been neglected for the past 20 years.

"In addition to the restoration of the old building, new extensions have been added to include a tennis court on existing foundations and half-sunken co-working pods. The pods are placed carefully between mature trees to avoid damaging the existing ecology of the site."

Student: Kristiāna Genca
Course: BA (Hons) Interior Design Environment Architectures (ARB Part 1)
Tutors: Polina Pencheva and Hwei Fan Liang
Email: gencakristiana[at]gmail.com

The Enlightenment by Angelika Olejarka

"This sustainable community-based project reimagines the future of one of the oldest churches in Lewisham, England, to provide a sense of belonging and welcome, irrespective of whether you are religious or not.

"St Mary's Church offers a combination of spaces that evoke constant emotions throughout the process of its exploration.

"A sense of being lost and curiosity is created by the labyrinth of curved copper screens.

"This project ensures that the focus of the church reaches far beyond prayer and worship. The church's design offers a variety of spaces and activities for anyone who wants to become a part of its community."

Student: Angelika Olejarka
Course: BA (Hons) Interior Design Environment Architectures (ARB Part 1)
Tutors: Polina Pencheva and Hwei Fan Liang

Story of Storeys by Viola Pica

"Story of Storeys is an interdisciplinary approach towards art and refurbishing. The project gives a new purpose to the Catford Constitutional Club in England.

"The locally listed structure will open to the public as an art centre consisting of a cafe, art shop, artist studio space, seminar room and multiple exhibition spaces.

"The overall building acts as a storytelling device, channelling themes from the curator's chosen book as inspiration for the different architectural expressions and installations.

"The building is revived and its historical significance is elevated in the form of a place where visitors can find comfort in the exploration of a new emotional experience."

Student: Viola Pica
Course: BA (Hons) Interior Design Environment Architectures (ARB Part 1)
Tutors: Kay Sedki and Hwei Fan Liang
Email: viola.pica2020[at]gmail.com

Mind & Muse: The Expressive Gateway School by Leonardo Paja

"Mind & Muse explores the use of the arts as a gateway to improved mental health.

"The project aims to help the youth develop mental maturity by teaching them different means of self-expression.

"Mind is a mental health centre. With the need for psychological care and support dramatically increasing during and after the Covid-19 pandemic, this centre provides locals with vital mental health services.

"Muse is a youth art school with an arts programme dedicated to the youth of Lewisham, England. It provides the opportunity to engage and experiment with creative and expressive arts, at a standard that is not available in mainstream schools, through various activities and workshops."

Student: Leonardo Paja
Course: BA (Hons) Architecture (ARB Part 1)
Tutors: Dhara Bhatt and Hwei Fan Liang
Email: leonardopaja7[at]gmail.com

Ladywell Gardens by Ediz Ali

"Ladywell Gardens is a residential scheme aimed to help lower income families who are struggling with the cost of living during the current housing crisis.

"The objective of the project was to provide affordable living spaces that contribute to a good quality of life. This was achieved by creating energy-efficient homes integrated with community spaces.

"Shared amenities and green spaces promote social connections and a vibrant neighbourhood. High quality homes lead to a better quality of life, creating positive opportunities for families and future generations."

"This project aims to redefine affordable housing, encouraging residents to thrive in a desirable, sustainable and close-knit community in Ladywell, England.

Student: Ediz Ali
Course: BA (Hons) Architecture (ARB Part 1)
Tutors: Polina Pencheva and Hwei Fan Liang
Email: edizali02[at]hotmail.co.uk

Get to Know Strangers by Urmi Bari

"A prominent issue for housing is the cost-of-living crisis. By exploring the future of housing, this project proposes a radical solution of intergenerational co-housing apartments.

"Through Passivhaus design, shared kitchen and garden spaces, solar panels, a green cafe roof and vegetable roof garden, the scheme provides affordable living facilities.

"The project encourages residents to form a community and learn to live collaboratively with strangers, whether it is distributing responsibilities throughout the building, helping to fix a cup of tea, or just passing by to say hello."

Student: Urmi Bari
Course: BA (Hons) Interior Design Environment Architectures (ARB Part 1)
Tutors: Darren Stacey and Hwei Fan Liang
Email: urmi09[at]hotmail.co.uk

The Wellness Pavilion by Danielle Van Zyl

"The Wellness Pavilion is developed from a personal interest in healthcare architecture and its connection with wellbeing.

"The project is situated in Ladywell Fields close to the Ravensbourne River and Lewisham Hospital in England.

"It caters to hospital patients, visitors and the general public, aiming to unite institutional environments with a welcoming, inclusive and – most importantly – enjoyable health and wellness centre situated amongst recreational activities.

"The design explores its relationship with the park and river nearby. It is partially embedded into the ground to maintain a continuous public landscape as well as provide external courtyards with views of different aspects of the park."

Student: Danielle Van Zyl
Course: BA (Hons) Architecture (ARB Part 1)
Tutors: Darren Stacey and Hwei Fan Liang
Email: diditlc.dvz[at]gmail.com

RE-Mythify Catford by Afifa Hakim

"The RE-Mythify Catford project explores experiential architecture, motivated by community building strategies to deliver a tactile and tangible design to drive the future of museums.

"Inspired by the myths surrounding the naming of Catford, England, and the importance of the River Ravensbourne to the town, the project utilises the river as a reference to storytelling and myth-making.

"The old viaducts are turned into retail, workshop and restaurant spaces - the new building uses the excavated material as rammed earth walls to form an 'ecomuseum' that includes a small residency studio and exhibition space.

"The river is made accessible to visitors with a public terraced landscape."

Student: Afifa Hakim
Course: BA (Hons) Architecture (ARB Part 1)
Tutors: Darren Stacey and Hwei Fan Liang
Email: afifahakim[at]hotmail.com

Heart of Slough by Sumaia Abbas

"The Heart of Slough project has a variety of retail, residential, recreation and office facilities. It focuses on improving the town centre by reviving activity and directing people to the high street.

"This project celebrates the local cultural diversity and creates a place for people to be proud of.

"A flow of red structures from the street attracts people to the project, leading to a sculptural bridge in the main courtyard that connects different levels.

"The scheme connects parts of the town, improving accessibility to the train station and the public library. Heart of Slough is designed to be a landmark and key destination in the city, as well as a place to live, work, shop and play."

Student: Sumaia Abbas
Course: MArch Architecture
Tutors: Kay Sedki, Tim Jeffery and Morgan Lewis
Email: sumaia.a.e.abbas84[at]gmail.com

The Harmony House by Lola Moro

"The Harmony House is an adaptive reuse project of the Truman Brewery, England. This project seeks to explore the role of music as therapy and rehabilitation.

"Taking the historical Truman Brewery in Spitalfields, England, as the site of investigation, this adaptive reuse project considers the movement of air, light and sound to stimulate the senses and dignify those undergoing care.

"The design process involved using physical models to reimagine the building's historical structure and encourage creative ideas for sustainable building reuse."

Student: Lola Moro
Course: BA (Hons) Interior Design Environment Architectures (ARB Part 1, year 2)
Tutors: Kate Rushe and Andrew Ó Murchú
Email: p.moro[at]students.rave.ac.uk

Urban Roofscape in Spitalfields by Jing Sum Fan

"This project explores the experience of the Urban Roofscape in London's Brick Lane.

"Weaving across the historical infrastructure of the Truman Brewery, England, Fan's work offers a curated experience of the historical area's emerging street art.

"It investigates the formal opportunities of perching wooden structures across, between and on the edges of the roof plane to frame views of London's skyline and reimagine the experience of Spitalfields' historical industrial fabric."

Student: Jing Sum Fan
Course: BA (Hons) Architecture (ARB Part 1, year 2)
Tutor: Andrew Ó Murchú
Email: j.fan[at]students.rave.ac.uk

Restoration by Hannah Turner

"A healthcare system that is under stress and strain can cause both the workers and patients to suffer. The restoration of the Ladywell PlayTower, England, provides a therapeutic space for nurses to work, rest and live.

"Focusing on the physical and psychological wellbeing of helpers and healers can also improve their patients' health. Incorporating nature in both the interior and exterior of the building helps enhance healing and wellbeing."

Student: Hannah Turner
Course: BA (Hons) Interior Design Environment Architectures (ARB Part 1)
Tutors: Polina Pencheva and Hwei Fan Liang
Email: hannahturner2611[at]icloud.com

Partnership content

This school show is a partnership between Dezeen and Ravensbourne University London. Find out more about Dezeen partnership content here.