Structure studio Witherford Watson Mann balanced “studious conservation and daring intervention” for its redevelopment of the historic Courtauld Institute of Artwork in London.
One among six tasks shortlisted for the RIBA Stirling Prize 2023, the three-year undertaking to replace The Courtauld Gallery accomplished on the finish of 2021 and marks the primary part of a wider scheme reworking the Grade I-listed Somerset Home advanced.
Supported by £11 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund, the transformation programme seeked to open up each spatially and culturally the “idiosyncratic” web site that has been its residence for the reason that Nineteen Nineties.
Former Stirling Prize winners Witherford Watson Mann sought to make clear the constructing’s areas and circulation whereas sustaining its historic character, combining extra delicate modifications within the galleries with plenty of extra in depth alterations.
“[In the galleries], many might battle to determine particularly what has modified: and but there was barely a room, door, flooring or cable that was not altered,” mentioned director Stephen Witherford.
“The undertaking preserves the establishment’s wealthy previous while securing its future.”
Bettering the accessibility and arrival sequence into the gallery was a precedence, and its essential entrance off the Strand now includes a ramp created by each re-using and matching the present stone paving.
Earlier gallery rooms had been cleared to create a bigger reception space, the place a brand new stone staircase and elevate present clear circulation between flooring.
Beneath the constructing, a collection of brick vaults beforehand inaccessible to the general public have been reduce via with a collection of concrete-framed openings, offering a completely new method to traverse the positioning.
Presently residence to the gallery’s store, these vaults will finally kind a connection via to the Courtauld Institute’s pupil areas, that are to be upgraded in the course of the wider undertaking’s second part.
Above, alongside gallery areas for the Courtauld’s everlasting assortment, new areas had been created for non permanent exhibitions, in addition to a studying studio for households and younger folks, a lecture room and an object lecture room.
On the highest flooring is the skylit Nice Room – London’s oldest purpose-built exhibition house – the place earlier subdivisions have been stripped away to revive its unique nature as a dramatic, single house.
In the entire gallery areas, the insertion of recent ducting, air flow grilles and lighting has improved the constructing’s environmental efficiency, in addition to situations for each the artworks and guests.
“The bodily alterations are actually starting to help a change of tradition,” says Wilford.
“Customer variety has elevated, together with customer numbers; college teams are making full use of the primary onsite studying centre; and pupil initiatives and wider partnerships are reshaping the programme.”
“Altering buildings doesn’t change establishments by itself, however it could possibly help their democratisation,” he added.
Witherford Watson Mann beforehand gained the Stirling Prize in 2013 for his or her refurbishment of Astley Fort, which additionally concerned the cautious reconfiguration of a historic constructed cloth.
The pictures is by Philip Vile.
