Herzog & de Meuron to Design Royal College of Art Expansion in London

Swiss architects Herzog & de Meuron, Pritzker Prize laureates in 2001, have won the international competition to design the expansion of the Royal College of Art (RCA) in London. Their proposal was selected from 97 entries, beating six other finalists: Christian Kerez (Switzerland), Lacaton & Vassal (France), Serie Architects (UK/Singapore), Robbrecht en Daem (Belgium), Diller Scofidio + Renfro (USA), and Studio Gang (USA). The jury, chaired by RCA rector Paul Thompson and including Alan Leibowitz, Ricky Burdett, Paola Antonelli, and student Marcus Cole, praised Herzog & de Meuron's "mastery" in developing the concept. The new 15,000-square-meter complex will be built in Battersea, offering what the architects describe as "an opportunity to rethink the RCA campus and establish models of connectivity and organization that will make the structure a successful building." The design will feature highly versatile spaces to support interdisciplinary education in art, design, computing, and science, fostering experimentation and innovation. The building aims to maintain a productive link with the city and facilitate engagement with businesses through permeable internal and transitional zones. Details, timeline, and costs have not yet been released. This project follows Herzog & de Meuron's recent completion of the New Tate in London.