The Art of Building Space
An exploration into how artistic expression transcends boundaries and shapes our spaces.
Artists and architecture
Artists and architects collaborate to create spaces that are both visually stunning and functionally sound. This collaboration often leads to a seamless integration of artistic elements into the architectural design, resulting in a unique and enriching experience for the viewer.
Villa Emo, Fanzolo di Vedelago (2007) by Architect: Andrea Palladio (1508-1580), Artist: Giambattista Zelotti (1526-1578) and Photographer: ORCH Orsenigo-ChemolloRoyal Institute of British Architects
Palladio: Renaissance Master
Andrea Palladio was one of the most influential architects of the Renaissance period. Known for his work in the Veneto region of Italy. His buildings are recognised for incorporating decorative elements into his facades, including pilasters, pediments and friezes.
Villa Caldogno, Nordera Sacchetto, Caldogno (2008) by Architect: Andrea Palladio (1508-1580), Artist: Giambattista Zelotti (1526-1578) and Photographer: ORCH Orsenigo-ChemolloRoyal Institute of British Architects
Venetian decor
Palladio often collaborated with renowned Venetian artists, such as Giambattista Zelotti to create intricate frescoes on the walls and celilings of his buildings. These frescoes featured vivid colours and detailed scenses from classical mythology and history.
Watts Mortuary Chapel, Compton Cemetery, Surrey (2009) by Architect: Mary Seton Watts (1850-1938) and Photographer: Ruth KamenRoyal Institute of British Architects
A Working Chapel of Art
This terracotta building is the work of artist and designer Mary Watts craftswoman and second wife of the artist G.F Watts. Between 1895 to 1904, over 70 people from the local community contributed to its construction. It opened in 1898 and is a working chapel to this day.
Watts Mortuary Chapel, Compton Cemetery, Surrey (2009) by Architect: Mary Seton Watts (1850-1938) and Photographer: Ruth KamenRoyal Institute of British Architects
Carvings in clay
Clay tiles decorate the outside. They blend Celtic, Romanesque, and Art Nouveau influences. Inside the Chapel you will find one of the most important and experimental wall paintings in England.
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Gaudí's Vision: A Living Artwork
Antoni Gaudí's Sagrada Família in Barcelona showcases the harmonious blend of art and architecture. His work aims to create spiritually uplifting spaces, integrating stained glass, wrought iron, and ceramic tiles making the building a living artwork.
As an architect Gaudi is deeply inspired by nature and organic forms, integrating sculptural and mosaic elements directly into the structure, using a technique called 'trencadís'. This involved using broken ceramic tiles and glass fragments to create intricate and colourful surface patterns on the façades and interiors of his buildings. This is most prevalent within Parc Güell. Other artistic details include the mosaic-clad bases of the Doric columns and the ceiling in the hypostyle hall.
Bridget Riley and John Weeks with Riley's murals (1987) by Architect: Llewelyn-Davies Weeks, Artist: Bridget Riley and Photographer: Crispin BoyleRoyal Institute of British Architects
Dynamic interiors
Bridget Riley's art extends beyond the canvas, into large-scale installations, impacting architectural spaces. Her collaboration at Royal Liverpool University Hospital exemplifies this, where her dynamic colours and patterns transform sterile environments into ones that inspire calm and energy.
Chichu Art Museum, Naoshima. (2019) by Architect: Tadao Ando, James Turrell and Photographer: John BarrRoyal Institute of British Architects
Playing with Light and Space
James Turrell is known for his immersive installations. Apertures in the ceiling within minimalist architectural chambers, play with light, perception and space. These installations integrate architecture, sky, and the surrounding environment, making viewers reconsider their spatial relationship to the world.
Model "Roden Crater" (1998) by James TurrellMAK – Museum of Applied Arts
Roden Crater: An Artistic Observatory
A profound example of how art can engage with the natural landscape and enhance human perception of the environment. Located in the desert of northern Arizona this monumental project is a dormant volcanic cinder cone, the crater has been transformed by Turrell into an observatory.
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A Sculptural Landmark: ArcelorMittal Orbit
Kapoor’s sculptural design was in collaboration with architect Cecil Balmond for the 2012 London Olympics. Its twisting red steel structure, blends art with engineering. Integrating public viewing platforms within the sculpture transforms it into a functional, interactive space.
Jay Pritzker Pavilion, Millennium Park, Chicago (2004) by Photographer: Roland Halbe and Architects: Gehry PartnersRoyal Institute of British Architects
Anish Kapoor’s Cloud Gate
Situated in Chicago's Millennium Park, is a 110-ton reflective stainless steel sculpture shaped like a giant bean. Its mirror-like surface reflects the city skyline and sky, distorting reality and inviting viewers to engage with both the artwork and their surroundings.
Spiritual Spaces
Tadao Ando is an architect whose work embodies a strong relationship between space, light, and the human experience. The intersecting planes of concrete and the dramatic use of light create a spiritual experience that draws from the language of art as much as architecture.
Garden of Art, Kyoto (2019) by Architect: Tadao Ando and Photographer: John BarrRoyal Institute of British Architects
Tadao Ando's Art Oasis
An open-air museum featuring iconic art replicas displayed on monumental concrete slabs and surrounded by water features. The minimalist design by Tadao Ando blends art, nature and architecture, creating a serene space for reflection and contemplation.
Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre, Reykyjavik (2015) by Architect: Henning Larsen Architects, Batteriid Architects, Olafu Eliasson and Photographer: Danica O. KusRoyal Institute of British Architects
A Glass Symphony
The design for the Harpa Concert Hall in Reykjavik features a striking glass facade inspired by Iceland’s basalt formations. The crystalline structure reflects and refracts natural light, creating a dynamic interaction between architecture, light, and the surrounding environment.
Explore more from RIBA Collections here.
All images are from RIBA Collections unless listed.
'Tall Tree and the Eye' installation by Anish Kapoor. Rights: Daniel Hewitt / RIBA Collections
Extension to Morley College. Rights: Architectural Press Archive / RIBA Collections
Villa Emo. Rights: ORCH Orsenigo / RIBA Collections
Villa Caldogno. Rights: ORCH Orsenigo / RIBA Collections
Watts Mortuary Chapel. Rights: Ruth Kamen / RIBA Collections
Park Guell: turreted wall; doric columns bearing the roof of the hypostyle hall. Rights: Christopher Hope-Fitch / RIBA Collections
Casa Batllo. Rights: Shachar Muzicant / RIBA Collections
Bridget Riley and John Weeks with Riley's murals. Rights: Crispin Boyle / RIBA Collections
Chichu Art Museum. Rights: John Barr / RIBA Collections
Jay Pritzker Pavilion. Rights: Roland Halbe / RIBA Collections
Church of the Light; Garden of Art: John Barr / RIBA Collections
Harpa Concert Hall: Danica O. Kus / RIBA Collections
