RCA display future Architecture on Heritage Fleet buses

Four Routemaster buses from Arriva London’s Heritage fleet were centre stage on the opening day of the Royal College of Arts Everything Counts exhibition at the London Festival of Architecture, held in Exhibition Road, South Kensington in June.

The buses were each fitted out with a different architectural theme, to illustrate the designs from this year’s postgraduate art and design students.

From specially adapted platforms around the buses, visitors were able to view the designs on display inside.

RM6 the Heritage Fleet’s gold Routemaster had its lower deck completely covered with an aerial map of London, which was part of an imaginary island design, developed by the students for the Thames Estuary.

Despite some inclement weather, a touch of summer was added to the event by a large sand pit along side the buses, where visitors were encouraged to build sand castles.

RM 1124, as No 3 in the Everything Counts theme, made its first outing as part of The Heritage Fleet, displaying a whole range of futuristic architectural designs, including one involving a miniature motor racing track.

Professor Nigel Coates, Head of the college of Architecture, whose inspiration it was to use the Routemasters said,

‘The buses were a very popular attraction. Our students also enjoyed the challenge of exhibiting in this way and the buses were able to contribute to the RCA opening night in a truly unique way. My sincere thanks for all your help with the Everything Counts exhibition’.