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The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) unveils an inspiring new learning space at its iconic Grade II listed Headquarters in central London on 29 October 2019.

The RIBA Clore Learning Centre was designed by architects Hayhurst & Co. following a RIBA competition. Including a dedicated studio, study room, terrace and interactive display area, this space will transform how the public learns about and responds to architecture in a creative learning programme

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A new destination for the public to engage with architecture, the new Learning Centre will be a setting for hands-on, creative activities for a wide range of audiences, from children and families to lifelong learners. It will be part of RIBA’s national learning programme, including workshops, walks, talks, and the RIBA National School Programme engaging primary and secondary school children.

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Juno chairs, designed by James Irvine for Arper in 2012, were selected as part of the design for the studio and study room, providing a flexible, playful space that inspires creativity and adapts to different publics and models of learning, from independent learning to group activities.

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Andrew Nelson, Head of Learning at RIBA, and Jonathan Nicholls, Director at Hayhurst and Co., explain the concept behind the project and how the Juno collection was chosen for the space:

Furniture was carefully considered to cater for all our participants – from schoolchildren to older learners – as well as meeting our needs for practical and compact storage when not in use. Arper Juno chairs can be easily stacked in our purpose-built storage space and their moulded plastic form is durable and wipe-clean. Armrests provide side support and make it easier for older people with reduced mobility to stand up.

Andrew Nelson, Head of Learning at the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA)

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Hayhurst and Co’s design for the Clore Learning Centre at the RIBA provides an inspirational set of spaces where visitors can learn about architecture. The interiors are flexible and adaptable and enable an inter-active learning experience. The choice of materials and the internal specifications for the project have been critical to encourage debate about the perception of architecture and its influence on light, acoustics, material sourcing, sustainability, learning enhancing technologies and environments.

The use of Arper’s Juno furniture range was key to providing a product specification that met an exacting client brief. Lightweight, well-built and high-quality chairs provide versatility for the range of different users that attend the Clore Studio at the RIBA. The furniture suits young and older users and provides an easily stackable solution enabling the learning team to quickly adapt the room layout to suit different uses.

Jonathan Nicholls, Practice Director at Hayhurst & Co.