AUB Design Studios, Poole

Design Engine Architects for Arts University Bournemouth

Contract value: £6.4m

GIA: 2,400m²

Buildings in a specialist institution such as this must become inspirational themselves. Halls of residence repurposed as studios, this project is a quiet foil for CRAB Studios’ dramatic blue ‘drawing room’. 

Ground floor extensions for 3D printing studios spill out onto a relandscaped courtyard. The retained brick and concrete structures are painted black outside and white inside. Perforated aluminium overcladding creates a diaphanous appearance and a back-lit veil at night.

Pink north-facing roof lights provide joyful highlights in the neutral palette and much needed daylight to the studios.