Interior architecture students re-imagine the Royal West of England Academy
Students from UWE Bristol have worked in partnership with one of the city's leading art galleries to draw up designs for its possible redevelopment.
Seeking inspiration from the next generation of designers, the Royal West of England Academy (RWA) invited interior architecture students to study the building and imagine how it might be adapted to best serve future visitors.
Students' designs – which form part of their final year degree project – have now gone on display in the venue in an exhibition entitled Re-Imagining the RWA.
The collaboration comes as the RWA considers submitting a bid to the National Lottery Heritage Fund for improvements.
UWE Bristol's 19 students submitted designs to extend and redevelop the RWA, taking full advantage of the site to make it even more welcoming and accessible. Ideas include everything from modest adjustments to the Grade II* listed building to more radical transformations, including the addition of new pavilions to create space to display new kinds of art such as video and virtual reality exhibits.
Senior lecturer for BA Interior Architecture at UWE Bristol, David Littlefield said: "It's a pleasure working with this important cultural institution in Bristol, and we are especially pleased that the gallery is able to put our students' work on public display."
Alison Bevan, Director of the RWA, said: "We're delighted to have had access to the outstanding creative minds of UWE Bristol's interior architecture course. This collaboration has given us some fantastic ideas for ways we can re-imagine the space to help us deliver our commitment to bring great art to everyone, and promote the understanding and enjoyment of art to a wider audience."
The exhibition will run until 7 April and entry is free.
Related news
09 April 2025
UWE Bristol academics shaping the future of design across disciplines
Three senior leaders from the College of Arts, Technology and Environment have been appointed to prominent national roles in architecture, art and design.
04 April 2025
New partnership between UWE Bristol and Bristol Creative Industries will develop student talent network
UWE Bristol and Bristol Creative Industries (BCI) have formed a new partnership to support Bristol’s thriving creative businesses and provide enhanced careers opportunities to students entering the industry.
03 April 2025
Interdisciplinary studio bridging the gap between creative industries and technology opens at UWE Bristol
A new £3.6m laboratory has opened at UWE Bristol which will provide a unique arts, humanities and technologies multi-disciplinary space for researchers, entrepreneurs and businesses across the West of England.
07 March 2025
UWE Bristol and Ashton Park School transform urban landscape near university campus
Students bring creativity and a splash of colour to a well-used city underpass by painting a new mural celebrating diversity and inclusivity.
07 March 2025
UWE Bristol students triumph at regional RTS Awards
UWE Bristol filmmaking and animation students won three categories of the RTS West of England Student Awards, held at Watershed in Bristol on 3 March 2025.
03 February 2025
Exhibition celebrates inaugural year of students’ creative agency
Students from UWE Bristol’s New Wave Creative Agency will showcase their work at an exhibition at Arnolfini from 8 February.
22 January 2025
Talent collaboration programme UWE Futures expands to support diversity in Bristol's legal and creative sectors
UWE Bristol's talent programme, UWE Futures, which offers paid work experience to global majority students, has expanded in its second year to include more legal firms and a leading organisation in Bristol’s creative sector.
07 January 2025
Assistant Vice-Chancellor selected to join Creative Industries Taskforce
Assistant Vice-Chancellor Lynn Barlow has become part of a new taskforce to help deliver a plan to grow the UK’s creative industries.
10 December 2024
UWE Bristol wins TIGA Games Industry Award
UWE Bristol has won an award for Best Education Initiative at the 2024 TIGA Games Industry Awards.
09 December 2024
UWE Bristol architecture students return from ‘once in a lifetime’ bamboo pavilion build in Ethiopia
UWE Bristol architecture students travelled to Ethiopia where they designed and constructed a large-scale bamboo pavilion in a park close to the capital city.
27 November 2024
Carol Vorderman receives honorary doctorate from UWE Bristol
Broadcaster and writer Carol Vorderman MBE has been awarded an honorary degree by UWE Bristol.
22 November 2024
UWE Bristol professor unveils blue plaque honouring Bristol’s Cary Grant
Dr Charlotte Crofts joined Historic England to unveil a blue plaque celebrating the Hollywood star.