Dezeen School Shows: a Croydon-based museum that presents the stories of people who have migrated there is among the architecture projects from students at Ravensbourne University London.

Also featured is a mycelium-centred community centre offering agricultural workshops and a project proposing sensory-stimulating spaces to support elderly individuals with sight loss.

Ravensbourne University London

Institution: Ravensbourne University London
School: Architecture and Built Environment
Courses: BA (Hons) Architecture and BA (Hons) Interior Design Environment Architectures
Tutors: Luke Murray, Hwei Fan Liang, Polina Pencheva, Jane Lawrence, Jacob Riman, Hari Phillips, Brikena Dunisha, Louis Peralta and Alberto Villanueva

School statement:

"The Department of Architecture at Ravensbourne University London celebrates integrated pathways to industry, linking architecture, interior architecture and reuse and urban landscape architecture.

"Our pillars cross sustainability, social impact, community and interdisciplinary, with a distinctive hybrid blend of tradition, craft and digital skills, enabling our students to showcase their individual interests in collaborative environments on their journeys as designers.

"We leverage our close industry collaborations and London location to offer real-world project briefs intertwined with local communities, whilst championing diversity and creativity to ensure that our graduates are well-equipped to shape the future of the profession.

"Every year, the department investigates a critical theme related to current debates. This year our theme was 'migration'.

"The final major projects showcased each developed a personal narrative, commencing with VS Naipul's reflective novel 'The Enigma of Arrival', challenging students to understand what it means to arrive and integrated in a new country, city and community.

"This year's location for the final major project was Croydon, beginning as a market town for migrating traders and booming into an urban metropolis and 'modern' centre.

"Today, Croydon contains multiple vacant plots awaiting development and an array of existing buildings no longer fit for purpose and in need of adaption to meet contemporary demands.

"Students were tasked with generating typologies on the 'migration of culture' – the design of a new Museum of Migration, 'migrating economies' to upskill those arriving new to the borough and 'migrating social cohesion', supporting young individuals and their integration within existing communities."

The Future We Make by Vasiliki Ioanna Nasaki

"This project transforms a former home office site in Croydon into a civic space for making, learning and connection.

"Once a place of control and division, it becomes a hub for migrant-led entrepreneurship and care. Through workshops and shared spaces, the design supports participation over consumption, gathering over isolation.

"It prioritises regenerative design and low impact materials. The architecture is adaptable and grounded, evolving with its users.

"This project is not a monument, but a starting point. Not a building, but a question: what kind of future do we build when we build it together?"

Student: Vasiliki Ioanna Nasaki
Course: BA(Hons) Architecture (ARB/RIBA Part 1)
Tutors: Luke Murray, Hwei Fan Liang, Polina Pencheva, Jane Lawrence, Jacob Riman, Hari Phillips, Brikena Dunisha, Louis Peralta and Alberto Villanueva
Email: v.nasaki[at]students.rave.ac.uk

Story Book Journey by Janzelle Paganiban

"Based in the borough of Croydon, rich in culture and diversity, the Museum of Migration serves as a physical manifestation of stories from the people who have migrated here.

"Circulation routes shape the form of the museum, boasting large entrances across the three blocks, allowing visitors to choose their journey.

"The museum is divided into three key spaces, exhibition, projection room and multi-functional space, with one block dedicated to each.

"The buildings are connected via an upper-level catwalk, with internal archive spaces and restaurant. The exhibits hosted in the museum will stand as witness to the untold stories of people who have migrated here."

Student: Janzelle Paganiban
Course: BA (Hons) Architecture (ARB/RIBA Part 1)
Tutors: Luke Murray, Hwei Fan Liang, Polina Pencheva, Jane Lawrence, Jacob Riman, Hari Phillips, Brikena Dunisha, Louis Peralta and Alberto Villanueva
Email: r.panganiban[at]students.rave.ac.uk

Rooted in Community by Kristina Isallari

"Structured around an oyster mushroom farm, this project offers daytime mycelium workshops and farming activities to provide skills and employment.

"In the evening, it becomes a vibrant food market hall, where diverse communities connect through cuisine.

"This initiative fosters economic empowerment and social cohesion, using architecture to build a welcoming and inclusive environment.

"By blending agriculture, craft and gastronomy, the project creates a space where migrants can gain stability, share cultures and generate a sense of belonging in their new community."

Student: Kristina Isallari
Course: BA (Hons) Architecture (ARB/RIBA Part 1)
Tutors: Luke Murray, Hwei Fan Liang, Polina Pencheva, Jane Lawrence, Jacob Riman, Hari Phillips, Brikena Dunisha, Louis Peralta and Alberto Villanueva
Email: k.isallari[at]students.rave.ac.uk

A Place to Arrive by Shahzoda Isomova

"This project focuses on transforming Sega's House, a vacant art deco grade II-listed building in Croydon, into a welcoming place for new and existing communities, particularly migrants.

"The design responds to Croydon's rich history of movement and diversity, creating spaces that support arrival, connection and everyday life.

"It includes areas for community gathering, co-working and temporary accommodation for single parents, with an emphasis on dignity and inclusion.

"By reworking the existing building and adding sustainable, sensitive interventions, the project aims to bring life back into Sega's House and offers a sense of belonging to those starting new chapters in the borough."

Student: Shahzoda Isomova
Course: BA (Hons) Interior Design Environment Architectures (ARB/RIBA Part 1)
Tutors: Luke Murray, Hwei Fan Liang, Polina Pencheva, Jane Lawrence, Jacob Riman, Hari Phillips, Brikena Dunisha, Louis Peralta and Alberto Villanueva
Email: s.isomova[at]students.rave.ac.uk

A Place to Land – home from home by Gabriella Gambaro

"This project proposes a communal and private accommodation spaces designed for young migrants and a community-led food market.

"Rooted in transition and support, this proposal offers a grounding, a place to land, connect and grow. The proposal centres around a warm, open market for sharing and unity.

"Residents cook dishes from their home countries, inviting locals to taste and connect. It becomes a space of exchange not only for food, but for culture, identity and mutual understanding.

"The proposal captures the layered narrative of a young migrant welcomed into the Croydon community forming strong bonds through shared journeys, shared meals and memories."

Student: Gabriella Gambaro
Course: BA(Hons) Architecture (ARB/RIBA Part 1)
Tutors: Luke Murray, Hwei Fan Liang, Polina Pencheva, Jane Lawrence, Jacob Riman, Hari Phillips, Brikena Dunisha, Louis Peralta and Alberto Villanueva
Email: g.gambaro[at]students.rave.ac.uk

Elemental Bricks by Robert Trojan Alcántara

"This proposal centres around people coming together to create unfired clay bricks to connect with the community through making.

"This initiative addresses the lack of social infrastructure within Croydon. Through architecture, we uncover a significant issue of unemployment and aim to resolve both community disconnection and joblessness.

"Furthermore, the project explores the history of the area and its wider context in Croydon to inform the design decisions. For example, connections and transportation networks were key drivers to help reconnect the area to its former state."

Student: Robert Trojan Alcántara
Course: BA(Hons) Architecture (ARB/RIBA Part 1)
Tutors: Luke Murray, Hwei Fan Liang, Polina Pencheva, Jane Lawrence, Jacob Riman, Hari Phillips, Brikena Dunisha, Louis Peralta and Alberto Villanueva
Email: r.alcantara[at]students.rave.ac.uk

Scaffolded Lives by Nikol Neykova

"This project provides flexible and sustainable short-term accommodation for single-parent families. Located in central Croydon, between Apollo and Lunar Houses, the project maximises the use of CLT and glued-laminated timber (glulam) construction systems.

"The programme offers six months of temporary housing for single families migrating to the borough, helping them to establish a stable life in the city.

"Key spaces include an early years daycare for children between zero to four, job training and upskilling rooms. The external public courtyard and play area promote a sense of community engagement and local network.

"A mentorship scheme enables families to grow, become independent and start their businesses."

Student: Nikol Neykova
Course: BA (Hons) Interior Design Environment Architectures (ARB/RIBA Part 1)
Tutors: Luke Murray, Hwei Fan Liang, Polina Pencheva, Jane Lawrence, Jacob Riman, Hari Phillips, Brikena Dunisha, Louis Peralta and Alberto Villanueva
Email: n.neykova[at]students.rave.ac.uk

Senses in Harmony by Fabiana Stan

"Is the creation of sensory-stimulating spaces designed to support individuals affected by sight loss and loneliness.

"It emphasises accessibility, functionality and inclusivity, ensuring that people of all ages and abilities can engage and connect in a shared environment.

"It focuses on the elderly population of Croydon, many of whom have been displaced to the peripheries due to urbanisation.

"Although sight loss and loneliness are key drivers, it highlights that residency is not limited to those with visual impairments.

"Senses in Harmony welcomes older individuals, offering them a supportive community to rebuild independence and foster a true sense of belonging."

Student: Fabiana Stan
Course: BA (Hons) Architecture (ARB/RIBA Part 1)
Tutors: Luke Murray, Hwei Fan Liang, Polina Pencheva, Jane Lawrence, Jacob Riman, Hari Phillips, Brikena Dunisha, Louis Peralta and Alberto Villanueva
Email: f.stan[at]students.rave.ac.uk

Partnership content

This school show is a partnership between Dezeen and Ravensbourne University London. Find out more about Dezeen partnership content here.

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