054 CLIENT FILE


Architects designed the retail across the gallery – the shop just inside the new entrance and two smaller shops connected to exhibition spaces. Tey were selected through an open tender process and they had not worked on a museum or gallery before. We were drawn to their intelligent use of space and also their approach to complimenting the specific period architecture of the spaces.


What do you feel works particularly well design-wise at the new NPG?


It’s so much more welcoming. It’s fundamental that people are made to feel welcome as soon as they go through the door, particularly those who don’t traditionally go to galleries, and the whole ground floor really works well. I also think the Tudor galleries are amazing, especially the use of colour and the vistas through the galleries. Also the placement of paintings, and the transitions between the different galleries.


Te building is so much accessible. Tis was a key consideration in how we think about the building overall, from step free entrances and lifts right down to the angle of audio visuals used for interpretation and font sizes. Te overall visitor journey has been completely transformed – it does feel like a different place, somewhere that everyone can use and enjoy.


What were the most challenging and rewarding parts of working as a design client on this project?


Te new forecourt was definitely the most difficult aspect, and required collaboration across a lot of organisations. Personally, I found working through Covid was also quite challenging, as it was very hard for internal teams to work collaboratively when we weren’t able to be on site as much as we’d like. But one of the successes of our project is that it despite this the result does feel like one cohesive design – so often you can visit places and see that this isn’t always the case.


Te most rewarding aspect has been working with all the expertise on the design side –everyone both externally and internally brought such passion and commitment to the project. As well as JFA and Nissen Richards, Max Fordham (MEP engineers) were brilliant, as were Purcell (heritage architects). I’d also like to mention the main contractor, Gilbert-Ash, who was fantastic.


Are there any more design projects to come at the NPG?


Tat’s it for a little bit – we’ll now be focusing on the day to day operations and we have a small in-house design team who design the exhibitions.


’It’s so


much more welcoming. It’s fundamental that people are made to feel welcome as soon as


they go through the door, particularly


those who don’t traditionally go to galleries’


Left Natural light was a key part of the design schema, encouraging a more relaxing environment for visitors


Above, top The Tudor galleries are accentuated through the placement of the portraits and their colour scheme


Above, bottom Open spaces greet guests as soon as they enter, encouraging them to feel welcome from the get-go


JIM STEPHENSON


JIM STEPHENSON


GARETH GARDNER/NISSEN / RICHARDS STUDIO


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