Yasmin Ali

Sensing Spaces at the Royal Academy is a series of seven life-size architectural installations, each with their own viewing room, by distinguished architectural practices. Amongst the contributing artists are signature architects Eduardo Souto de Moura and Alvaro Siza, who provided the opening exhibit in the outdoor courtyard of the Royal Academy, which is also free to view. Subtitled as ‘Architecture Reimagined’,the carefully curated exhibition encourages viewers to experience new perspectives on architecture through these sequential interactive spaces.

The exhibits ranged from those seeming to be objects to view and not touch, to participatory spaces to experience and share. De Moura’s arches are two replica door cases of others at the RA which bookend another exhibit, and are conceived as sculptures and though appear tactile evoke reverence to not disturb. Diébédo Francis Kéré’s ‘room within a room’, is a paraboloid shape of 60mm honeycomb panels, into which visitors are encouraged to insert straws to help shape the resultant space. Li Xiaodong’s contribution is unique as it is not an object in space but a transitory space itself. Visitors are led through a maze of coppiced timber lit by LEDs leading to a pebbled Zen garden. Japanese architect Kengo Kuma’s also offered an eastern perspective by two delicate structures of lit whittled cultivated bamboo constructed into light pavilions.

Undeniably popular was Pezo von Ellrichshausen’s raised wooden pavilion overlooking the main gallery, accessible by four cylindrical spiral towers and a ramp system. This encouraged visitors to access the installation as users rather than mere viewers of the space. The most seductive space in terms of materiality and interplay of light and shade was the faux concrete atrium by Grafton architects, accessible off a lighter space with plaster panels. IPad catalogues and a screening of a short film featuring architect’s interviews complement the exhibition.

// Sensing Spaces runs until 6th April at the RA. There is also a programme of special associated events and talks, some of which are free to ticket holders here

// Tickets £14.50 (£13/£9)