Sir Peter Cook said in a statement.- “As an alumnus of AUB, I am deeply honoured that this university, where I learnt my craft, is now home to my first building in the UK. The studio represents a fundamental recognition of the importance of drawing for all creative subjects. When it came to the design of the studio I wanted to ensure I created a space which all students, from all disciplines – be it fashion design, graphic design, fine art, or architecture like me – could make use of and feel inspired in.”
"The condition of the room celebrates four aspects of light – central themes in looking and drawing to include a large north-light in the studio tradition, a rear clerestory that throws a softer light back from the rear wall, a discrete and even softer light that filters from beneath the bench on the east side and, finally, a graded wash of light that comes along the curve of the entrance porte clochere via the glass entrance door", said Professor Stuart Bartholomew CBE, Principal and Vice-Chancellor.
Description of the project by Crab Studio
This commission came through a recognition that the fundamental nature of drawing and the way in which it stimulates thought needed to be recognised and celebrated in a building available to all sections of the Arts University Bournemouth. Moreover designed by a prominent alumnus (when it was Bournemouth College of Art) : Sir Peter Cook : much of whose architectural work revolves around drawing.
The building is an iconic and free-standing pavilion that contains a large room, supported by a small internal service and storage territory.
The condition of the room celebrates four aspects of light – a central theme in the tradition of looking and drawing. These are featured as follows:
1. The large north-light : in the ‘Studio’ tradition.
2. The rear clerestory that throws a softer light back from the rear wall.
3. A discrete – even softer - light that filters under the bench on the east side.
4. A graded wash of light that comes in along the curve of the entrance porte-clochere via the glass entrance door.
The structure will be an all-steel prefabricated semi-monocoque construction, imported from the Netherlands and bolted onto the site slab, which will then be internally paneled giving a continuous white surface. The internal surfaces will be white with a grey floor. The exterior is a simple but deliberately identifiable and curvaceous form in blue, constructed from steel.
Through such simplicity, the act of drawing becomes a calm and considered activity within the lively world of a very busy and creative institution.
