The Royal College of Art Campus in Battersea by Herzog & de Meuron

Spatial Configuration and Architectural Composition

Herzog & de Meuron’s vision for the RCA is far more than just a functional space—it’s a malleable and dynamic environment. By creating a flexible design that encourages creativity and interdisciplinary collaboration, the architects delivered a framework that reflects the institution’s forward-thinking ethos, offering a bold and contemporary architectural solution to a storied institution.

The architectural composition of the RCA campus is rooted in flexibility and connectivity, features visible in both the spatial organization and material design. The campus is divided into two main structures: a low-rise, 4-storey Studio Building along Howie Street and a taller, 8-storey Research Building along Parkgate Road. The ground floor serves as the core of RCA’s activities and housing workshops and manufacturing spaces essential for creative production. These workshop areas are designed as interconnected volumes, forming the base on which the upper studio spaces rest and overhang.

The Studio Building’s design promotes seamless circulation and integration with the surrounding neighborhood. A previously closed-off portion of Radstock Street was reopened and incorporated into the campus’s layout, creating a double-height space called the “Hangar.” This vast area provides room for large-scale projects and exhibitions and can be transformed into a public thoroughfare, encouraging interaction with the local community. In addition, Howie Street is now the main artery connecting RCA’s existing and new buildings, turning it into a vibrant pedestrian zone lined with picture windows that offer views into the creative workshops.

Herzog & de Meuron’s clever manipulation of volumes and voids enhances functionality and aesthetics. The overhanging studio floors provide shaded outdoor seating and create ground-level sheltered walkways. In contrast, upper floors benefit from terraces and balconies, fostering a direct connection between interior and exterior spaces. This seamless interaction between the indoor and outdoor environments is one of the project’s key strengths, as it encourages natural ventilation and brings in ample daylight, improving the quality of the working environment for students and researchers.

Materiality and Structural Innovation

One of the standout features of Herzog & de Meuron’s design for the RCA campus is the robust yet minimal material palette. The combination of textured brick, exposed concrete, and steel is visually striking and supports the building’s functional needs as a flexible and adaptable educational environment.

The façade is characterized by textured Flemish bond brickwork at the ground level, perforated in specific areas to allow natural ventilation into the workshops behind operable glass panels. The brick pattern changes as the building rises—on the upper levels of the Studio Building, the brickwork is turned inside-out, exposing the cut ends of the header bricks. This technique gives the façade a distinctive texture while maintaining a simple and functional aesthetic. The brickwork is a subtle nod to Battersea’s industrial past, creating a contextual yet modern addition to the neighborhood.

In contrast, the Research Building departs from the masonry language, adopting a more streamlined design with vertical metal fins. These sinuous white fins wrap around the building, serving as a striking visual element and playing a critical role in regulating sunlight and reducing solar gain. This façade system creates a harmonious rhythm that blends functionality with aesthetic appeal, balancing the building’s need for flexibility with its environmental goals.

The building’s structural innovation is reflected in its 8-meter grid of concrete-filled steel tubes supporting concrete flat slabs throughout. This framework allows for an open and adaptable interior layout, where spaces can be easily reconfigured to accommodate different uses over time. Using a simple and robust material strategy, Herzog & de Meuron ensured that the RCA campus was prepared for the evolving needs of its students and staff.

The textured brickwork and large, north-facing clerestory lights of the workshop and studio building present a unique yet contextual profile to Battersea Bridge Road; the metal fins of the Research Building offer a distinct skyline identity for the campus.

– Herzog & de Meuron Architects

Royal College of Art Environmental Resilience

Sustainability was at the forefront of Herzog & de Meuron’s design approach for the RCA campus, which has earned a BREEAM Excellent rating. Environmental strategies were seamlessly integrated into the architecture, achieving energy efficiency and long-term resilience. The building’s efficient form was carefully calculated to maximize daylight control, insulation, and natural ventilation—all critical factors for reducing energy consumption.

The use of exposed concrete in the superstructure plays a dual role, providing structural support and passive environmental control. The concrete’s high thermal mass helps regulate the internal temperature, reducing the need for artificial heating and cooling. Additionally, the concrete contains a high content of cement replacement, further contributing to the project’s sustainability credentials.

On the Studio Building’s roof, solar panels generate clean energy for the campus, while a combination of ‘blue’ and ‘brown’ roofs helps manage stormwater and promotes biodiversity. The blue roof system stores rainwater to prevent flooding, while the brown roof creates a habitat for local wildlife, contributing to urban biodiversity. These sustainable features, with durable, low-maintenance materials and an adaptable services system, ensure that the RCA campus will remain an environmentally responsible space for decades.