RAVEN ROW

by 6a architects via dezeen

The above are of East London exhibition space Raven Row by 6a Architects.  The building, formerly two silk mercers' houses, was first constructed in 1754 with an adjacent office building added in 1972.  These three spaces were combined to create the current exhibition centre which includes gallery, studio, office and living spaces.  

The architects chose to use charred timber in their material palette, referencing the building's history (It suffered a fire in 1972 which caused extensive damage to the interior).  Charring has also given the timber such an interesting, beautiful texture.  

I love that they've almost completely maintained the original facade of the building and have created this beautiful, simplistic interior intervention. And the contrast of the original fire place in the second image surrounded by new moulding is stunning.  This space must smell incredible.  

I think this excerpt from 6a Architects explains it far more gracefully than I ever could: 

We avoided the Modernist paradigm of contrasting new against old. We took the view that the pre-existing construction need not be consigned to history and framed by the new. We have aimed to make each piece of this evolving puzzle oscillate between past and present. Rather than fixing history in the past, we have allowed for contemporary narratives to be drawn across time and space. 

6a Architects

6a Orde Hall Street

London, United Kingdom

6a.co.uk