Photo report – Sensing Spaces, Architecture Reimagined at the Royal Academy, London

Sensing Spaces, Architecture Reimagined at the Royal Academy, London, February 2014

Currently showing at the Royal Academy is ‘Sensing Spaces: Architecture Reimagined,’ a large scale exhibition created by seven contemporary architectural firms tasked with transforming the RA’s galleries – and also challenging visitors’ perceptions of space.

Sensing Spaces, Architecture Reimagined at the Royal Academy, London, February 2014

Dominating one room is this enormous wooden installation called the ‘Blue Pavilion.’ 

Described as  ‘part playground, part monument’, the work was created by the Chilean-based architecture firm Pezo von Ellrichshausen and features four columns containing spiral staircases leading up to a viewing platform.

Sensing Spaces, Architecture Reimagined at the Royal Academy, London, February 2014

Sensing Spaces, Architecture Reimagined at the Royal Academy, London, February 2014

Sensing Spaces, Architecture Reimagined at the Royal Academy, London, February 2014

The viewing platforms afford a bird’s eye view of the gallery space below.

Sensing Spaces, Architecture Reimagined at the Royal Academy, London, February 2014

Sensing Spaces, Architecture Reimagined at the Royal Academy, London, February 2014

Sensing Spaces, Architecture Reimagined at the Royal Academy, London, February 2014

A wooden switchback walkway gradually takes visitors back to ground level.

Sensing Spaces, Architecture Reimagined at the Royal Academy, London, February 2014

The platform lets you get up close to the gold covered angels that decorate the neoclassical cornice.

Sensing Spaces, Architecture Reimagined at the Royal Academy, London, February 2014

Sensing Spaces, Architecture Reimagined at the Royal Academy, London, February 2014

Sensing Spaces, Architecture Reimagined at the Royal Academy, London, February 2014

Sensing Spaces, Architecture Reimagined at the Royal Academy, London, February 2014

West African architect Francis Kéré linked two galleries via a honeycomb plastic tunnel, with visitors encouraged to interact with the sculpture by adding coloured straws to the walls and roof.

Sensing Spaces, Architecture Reimagined at the Royal Academy, London, February 2014

Sensing Spaces, Architecture Reimagined at the Royal Academy, London, February 2014

Sensing Spaces, Architecture Reimagined at the Royal Academy, London, February 2014

Sensing Spaces, Architecture Reimagined at the Royal Academy, London, February 2014

Sensing Spaces, Architecture Reimagined at the Royal Academy, London, February 2014

Sensing Spaces, Architecture Reimagined at the Royal Academy, London, February 2014

Sensing Spaces, Architecture Reimagined at the Royal Academy, London, February 2014

Sensing Spaces, Architecture Reimagined at the Royal Academy, London, February 2014

Sensing Spaces, Architecture Reimagined at the Royal Academy, London, February 2014

Sensing Spaces, Architecture Reimagined at the Royal Academy, London, February 2014

Eduardo Souto de Moura created this simple but effective sculpture which took the form of a thin, dark concrete imprint of the gallery doors.

Sensing Spaces, Architecture Reimagined at the Royal Academy, London, February 2014

Sensing Spaces, Architecture Reimagined at the Royal Academy, London, February 2014

Accessed through a curtain.  Li Xiaodong‘s installation invites visitors into a labyrinth of twig screens that eventually lead to an  inner courtyard, via several dead ends.

Sensing Spaces, Architecture Reimagined at the Royal Academy, London, February 2014

Sensing Spaces, Architecture Reimagined at the Royal Academy, London, February 2014

Sensing Spaces, Architecture Reimagined at the Royal Academy, London, February 2014

Sensing Spaces, Architecture Reimagined at the Royal Academy, London, February 2014

Sensing Spaces, Architecture Reimagined at the Royal Academy, London, February 2014

Within the space can be found two small, differently scented rooms by Kengo Kumas.

Sensing Spaces, Architecture Reimagined at the Royal Academy, London, February 2014

Sensing Spaces, Architecture Reimagined at the Royal Academy, London, February 2014

Sensing Spaces, Architecture Reimagined at the Royal Academy, London, February 2014

Created by Yvonne Farrell and Shelley McNamara of Dublin architects Grafton, this large installation takes you from a bright room to a dark, oppressive  one with the transition having an immediate impact on your senses.

Sensing Spaces, Architecture Reimagined at the Royal Academy, London, February 2014

Sensing Spaces, Architecture Reimagined at the Royal Academy, London, February 2014

Sensing Spaces, Architecture Reimagined at the Royal Academy, London, February 2014

Sensing Spaces, Architecture Reimagined at the Royal Academy, London, February 2014

Sensing Spaces, Architecture Reimagined at the Royal Academy, London, February 2014

Sensing Spaces, Architecture Reimagined at the Royal Academy, London, February 2014

Sensing Spaces, Architecture Reimagined at the Royal Academy, London, February 2014

The exhibition runs until 6th April 2014. More details below:

Royal Academy
Burlington House,
Piccadilly
London W1J 0BD [Google Map]
Tel: 020 7300 8000

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