kengo kuma and alvaro siza present installations at sensing spaces

kengo kuma and alvaro siza present installations at sensing spaces
installation (blue pavilion) by pezo von ellrichshausen
photo by james harris / © royal academy of arts, london, 2014

sensing spaces: architecture reimagined
royal academy of arts, london
on now until april, 6 2014

a diverse range of architectural practices have transformed the main galleries of the royal academy of arts through a variety of site-specific installations. ‘sensing spaces’ is intended to explore the essential elements of architecture, immersing guests within a multi-sensory experience. applying a human context and scale throughout, the event enables visitors to explore how vision, touch, sound and memory play a role in our perceptions of space, proportion, materials and light.

installation (blue pavilion) by pezo von ellrichshausen
photo by james harris / © royal academy of arts, london, 2014

collaborating architects include grafton architects (ireland), diébédo francis kéré (germany/burkina faso), kengo kuma (japan), li xiaodong (china), pezo von ellrichshausen (chile) and eduardo souto de moura and álvaro siza (portugal). the chosen practices share a common belief in creating work that is responsive to its context and its occupants.

installation by kengo kuma
photo by james harris / © royal academy of arts, london, 2014

occupying the largest of the galleries, an immense structure by pezo von ellrichshausen challenges the viewers sense of perspective, while kengo kuma’s installation highlights the importance of scent. a film made specially for the event will provide guests with the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the architects through the presentation of their previous works.

installation by kengo kuma
photo by james harris / © royal academy of arts, london, 2014

‘our interest is to engage the public: it’s about imagination and memory, because if you can touch those chords you create something very powerful’, explained shelley mcnamara and yvonne farrell of grafton architects.

‘architecture is the ever-present background to our lives and we often don’t recognize the impact it has. we have challenged the architects to create an experience which excites the senses and sparks the imagination. we hope to transform the way you think about the spaces around you and how they make you feel’, commented kate goodwin, drue heinz curator of architecture at the RA.

the exhibition will run at the royal academy of arts until april 6, 2014.