"extrArchitecture":http://www.extrarchitecture.co.uk and "00:/":http://www.architecture00.net collaborated in the design of the "Rosenfeld Porcini Gallery":http://www.rosenfeldporcini.com
Rosenfeld Porcini Gallery is set within an area of London that has recently seen the arrival of a number of new galleries, setting about a transformation of the area traditionally known for its fabric trade to an area known for the contemporary art.
The gallery occupies the ground and basement floors of an existing period building with façades to both Newman Street and Rathbone Street.
The design approach was to work with the existing building and its unique dual facades and internal courtyard which provide the space with extraordinary daylight, whilst creating a contemporary adaptation of the space.
The desire was to design both a visually and physically fluid space that would allow the visitor to be taken seamlessly through the variously scaled gallery spaces.
A curving spine wall unifies the two principal gallery spaces on each floor creating a sense of continuity through the spaces.
A new stair at the centre of the floor plan connects the two levels.
Visually, the space has been simplified by removing extraneous clutter. This reduction has also brought a grander sense of scale to the spaces that is accentuated and enhanced by the levels of natural daylight that are distributed around the building through carefully located voids that link the two floors.
For added flexibility in how collections are displayed, the gallery has been designed with mobile walls.
These walls also provide dynamism, allowing a speedy reconfiguration to suit any possible exhibition requirement.
the gallery can be physically different with each visit to a new exhibition, whilst constantly remaining very much as the backdrop to the art.
The choice of finishes also resonate an element of traditional quality set against the modern lines of the space. Existing steel columns and sash windows are retained for their character.
