new contemporary exhibition space

new contemporary exhibition space

Simon Dance Design as Designers

Simon Dance Design has completed a new contemporary exhibition space in central London. The Pippy Houldsworth Gallery opened to the public on 12 October 2011 to coincide with the Frieze Art Fair. The space will be programmed for exhibitions, seminars and events. The venue provides a showcase for a number of the most important national and international contemporary artists. The inaugural exhibition Continuum brings together seven seminal paintings by Clem Crosby.


Pippy Houldsworth chose to work with an innovative architecture and design studio that would reflect her program for the gallery. The client was drawn to the discreet vision for the space by Simon Dance Design. Feasibility study work began in August 2011. The brief for Simon Dance Design was to create a quiet backdrop for the viewing of works of art. The space also houses office space and art storage for the gallery.


The existing 180 sq m first floor is located on Heddon Street between Oxford Circus and Piccadilly Circus in Mayfair. The gallery consists of the main exhibition and microproject spaces which are open to the general public by appointment only. The rest of the floor is dedicated to private viewing spaces, art storage and offices. Pippy Houldsworth Gallery wanted to have an artist’s project space within the gallery to affirm their mission to work closely with a number of major international artists. Simon Dance Design conceived the idea of a separate microproject space with a floating white illuminated box set within a black vertical opening and invisibly lit from within. This will bring a unique space and new focus for the arts in London.


The overall design was approached by Simon Dance Design in three principal ways:


1. Reconfiguration


The designers carried out a refurbishment project that created purer environments, whilst also revealing the history of the space. These work together and are an ideal platform for exhibiting contemporary art.


2. Specific Interventions


The ground floor entrance is situated at the south of the building. It leads into a public stair and onto the first floor where you enter through a confined vertical space into the exhibition room. On the wall adjacent to the exterior is a matt black vertical incision into the white volume which contains the microproject space. At the other end of the volume is a display unit. This cantilevers into the lobby and contains artists’ monographs, visitors’ book, press releases and packs. Beyond is the main exhibition space. The private viewing spaces, art storage and offices are in a further lower space reached by stairs.


3. Technical Features


One of the challenges in resolving the brief was incorporating all of the elements necessary for an exhibition space such as lighting, power, data, heating and cooling. In this sense the project has been an exercise in discretion and concealment.


“The lighting solution was simple track and wallwashers by Erco plus a special art display feature with integrated KKDC LED striplight. Other than that there is not a lot to tell. The gallery is 'minimalist' white box and was a very simple and fast fit-out”. Gary Campbell, Partner in the London Office of dpa lighting design

Project Credits
Product Spec Sheet

ElementBrand
ManufacturersErco
Product Spec Sheet
Manufacturers
by Erco
Project Spotlight
Product Spotlight
News
Snøhetta designs new extension for the world’s oldest ski museum in Oslo
28 Mar 2024 News
Snøhetta designs new extension for the world’s oldest ski museum in Oslo

Global transdisciplinary architecture and design practice Snøhetta has designed a new entranc... More

10 public buildings that demonstrate architectural applications of precast concrete
27 Mar 2024 Specification
10 public buildings that demonstrate architectural applications of precast concrete

Precast concrete is made by casting concrete in a reusable mold. These molds are made of various mat... More

Sameep Padora and Associates creates a flowing, organic art center in southern India
26 Mar 2024 News
Sameep Padora & Associates creates a flowing, organic art center in southern India

Mumbai-based Sameep Padora & Associates (sP+a) has completed Hampi Art Labs in Toranagallu, a vi... More

Introducing Partner Thermory AS
26 Mar 2024 Partner News
Introducing Partner Thermory AS

Thermory AS offers a diverse product range that includes durable exterior cladding, decking, interio... More

Brooklyn Tower by ShOP Architects showcases a unique materiality
25 Mar 2024 News
Brooklyn Tower by ShOP Architects showcases a unique materiality

Brooklyn Tower, standing an impressive ninety-three stories tall with a unique neo-deco crown, is al... More

Doriana Fuksas, Martin Lesjak, Li Xiang and Steven Wright join Archello Awards 2024 jury
25 Mar 2024 Archello Awards
Doriana Fuksas, Martin Lesjak, Li Xiang and Steven Wright join Archello Awards 2024 jury

Doriana Fuksas, Martin Lesjak, Li Xiang and Steven Wright have been announced as Archello Awards 202... More

Vurpas Architectes converts former brick and concrete market into light-filled primary school in Lyon
22 Mar 2024 News
Vurpas Architectes converts former brick and concrete market into light-filled primary school in Lyon

The Eugénie Brazier school project in Lyon, France, undertaken by regional architecture studi... More

Detail: Pleated facade geometry of Bonfiglioli HQ by Peter Pichler Architecture
21 Mar 2024 Detail
Detail: Pleated facade geometry of Bonfiglioli HQ by Peter Pichler Architecture

Designed by Peter Pichler Architecture, the new Bonfiglioli Headquarters is located in Calderara di... More