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Drawing Studio

This is AUB. A place to shape and build your work; to learn, share, provoke and collaborate.

Drawing Studio

Our stunning Drawing Studio was designed and completed by renowned architect and AUB alumnus, Professor Sir Peter Cook RA, and his office, CRAB. This special building was officially opened by the late Dame Zaha Hadid in 2016.

View our Drawing Studio 360

History of the Drawing Studio

The Drawing Studio was officially opened on 3 March 2016 by a special guest, the world-famous Dame Zaha Hadid, who closed her speech with, "I simply love this building."

The building was designed and completed by renowned architect, AUB alumnus and Honorary Fellow, Professor Sir Peter Cook RA and his office CRAB (Cook Robotham Architectural Bureau).

Not only is it the first purpose-built drawing studio to be constructed at an art school for more than a century, but it is also Sir Peter’s first building to be built in the UK.

The building is accessible to students from all courses across the University enabling all creative artists, working in any genre, to be in the same space together, from costume designers to architects, animators to teachers.

From Sketch and Steel

Every important space starts with a sketch. Here are a few of our favourites from Sir Peter Cook and CRAB Studio.

Artist Work

In the spirit of a University that privileges drawing, we issued paper and a pencil to renowned artists in the UK, inviting them to make their mark on this project and help us celebrate the opening of the Drawing Studio.

We’d like to say a big thank you to all the artists who took part.

Take a look through the gallery below to see the artwork that we received, that was auctioned as part of the opening of the Drawing Studio.

Pencil sketch of man holding an image of a man holding an image of a man holding an image.

Outline of a hand with a signature in the palm.

Pencil sketch of a women holding a child.

Pencil sketch of a women holding a child's hand as they walk through a field

Abstract prints inspired by the English coastal landscape and the sea

Construction of the Drawing Studio

Complex curved forms give buildings and bridges a unique allure. These structures of steel or other metals also make them extremely strong when a self-bearing and monocoque construction is applied.

CIG Architecture appointed by AUB is the world leader in 3D forming of all types of metal plates and profiles and offers integrated solutions to international architects and engineering companies.

Central Industry Group (CIG) is an innovation-driven, technologically advanced industrial conglomerate engaged in shipbuilding, constructional design and production for complex architectural projects and the renewable energy industry worldwide. Founded in 1972, CIG has been a trusted partner for the international shipbuilding industry.

Their expertise in 3D steel forming is unsurpassed; it enables them to provide us with steel constructional design and product tailored to our aspirations and conceptual designs.

The structure is an all-steel prefabricated semi-monocoque construction, imported from Germany and bolted onto the site slab, internally acoustically treated giving a continuous white surface.

The internal surfaces are white with a grey floor. The exterior is a simple but deliberately identifiable and curvaceous form in blue, constructed from steel.

Our intention is to provide students with a new space in which drawing can be taught and practised. We are also keen to reassert the centrality of drawing to the subjects we offer.

Professor Stuart Bartholomew CBE, Former Principal and Vice-Chancellor