The Gas Hall Gallery

Status: 1993
Location: Birmingham

Client: City of Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery
Value: £4.0m

 

"I’m amazed because even though I have been involved in the project from the beginning, it is only now that you appreciate the imagination and quality of design.” Evelyn Silber, Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery’s assistant director

 

The brief was to create a large, functional space for exhibitions. The design needed to respect the original Edwardian architecture but incorporate modern exhibition handling facilities and strict environmental controls to enable the gallery to host international exhibitions.

We provided a flexible, well-serviced space to meet future needs and to enable changes of layout and lighting between similar types of exhibition swiftly and easily. The original three aisles of the hall were revealed maintaining the barrel-vaulted rooflight, decorative columns and details. New screens, lighting and showcases were introduced and movable panels that locked together in a hidden floor grid allow the space to be completely cleared to make one large space or rebuilt for two or three smaller shows.

The entrance was remodelled to make a welcoming lobby and waiting area, with new roof lights to wash the area with light. The foyer, audio visual and storage areas, lecture space and offices were arranged at either end of the exhibition area. Air, controlled by a computerised air handling system, was distributed through the void between the original floor and new timber floor.

Birmingham now has an award-winning and inspiring arts venue, with one of the biggest exhibition spaces in the UK.

 

Awards
1994 RIBA Award

 

Credits
Photography: Peter Cook