The architectural challenge was to provide a space for this unique gallery concept within five Grade-II listed buildings dating from 1857-60, one of which was originally occupied by the celebrated Victorian portraitist Sir John Lavery.
The existing building contained many outstanding period features, including original staircases with ironwork balustrades and curled timber handrails; original fireplaces, cornicing, ceiling roses and late Baroque-style mirrors in Sir John Lavery's former studio at No.5 Cromwell Place. The thirteen period gallery spaces have been individually designed to maintain the personality and integrity of the original room, yet discreetly modified to suit the anticipated needs of our members.
As well as refurbishment works, in the courtyard behind the main Cromwell Place terrace we have added a new pavilion to give a contrasting, contemporary viewing space - the largest of Cromwell Place’s galleries.
A sawtooth roof punctuated with north lights sits above 140m2 of column-free space with floor-to-ceiling heights of up to 4.6 metres to create a world-class display area for major exhibitions. Overlooked from all angles, the roof is effectively the fifth elevation of the building. Its hipped rooflights allow north light into the galleries below, and the whole volume is clad in black metal with a textured finish.
Alongside the public exhibition spaces which will occupy the lower floors, we have incorporated a secure, international-standard climate-controlled storage facility, administrative areas, and private viewing rooms to allow discreet meetings between galleries and collectors.
