Key details
Date
- 24 May 2022
Author
- RCA
Read time
- 1 minute
As we start opening the doors to our new Battersea buildings, we’re taking a look at some of the members of the RCA community who have contributed to the project.
Key details
Date
- 24 May 2022
Author
- RCA
Read time
- 1 minute
Throughout the process of selecting furniture, the team sought to work with or acquire works by RCA alumni wherever possible. The fit-out functions as something of a living gallery of great design by RCA graduates, and highlights the significant contribution the RCA has made to the furniture and industrial design over the years.
LTS
LTS have been the architects for the fitout, with RCA alumni James Watts acting as lead interior designer. James joined LTS in 2018 after completing an MA in Interior Design where he was able to develop his interests in sustainability, circularity and the responsible use of materials. His thesis was focused on plastic and was a finalist in the Helen Hamlyn Design Awards. This interest in sustainability has been pivotal in shaping the approach to the fitout for the new building.
Margaret Calvert
Calvert 107, designed by Margaret Calvert, is being used as the wayfinding font throughout the buildings. Calvert taught at the Royal College of Art for almost 40 years and was Head of Graphics from 1987 to 1991. Since then her fonts have been a mainstay of the College’s graphic identity.
Pearson Lloyd
Luke Pearson and Tom Lloyd, the founders of Pearson Lloyd, met at the RCA in 1991 and work together out of a shared interest in bridging the gap between the culture of furniture making and the growing complexities of a globalised world. Their sofas will be found in the Rausing Research building.
Lapalma
Shin and Tomoko Azumi both studied at the RCA in the mid 90s before founding Lapalma. In 2000, at the turn of the millennium, the LEM stool (which you will find on level 7 of the Rausing Research Building) was created, one of the symbols of Lapalma's style.
Very Good & Proper
Many of the chairs, stools, benches and meeting tables found throughout the building have been designed by Very Good & Proper, a studio led by designers Ed Carpenter and Andre Klauser, both graduates and subsequent tutors on the Design Products MA. You will also find RCA alumni Michael Marriott’s bird stool, designed for Very Good and Proper, throughout the building.
Studio Custhom
The Cardinal Stool, which can be found in the Rausing Research Building, was designed by Jemma Ooi and Nathan Philpott, co-founders of Studio Custhom, established in 2010 after they graduated from the RCA. Jemma is now a tutor on the Textiles MA Programme.
