Pallant House Gallery
Pallant House Gallery
Our conservation team has been advising on a masterplan for the planned expansion of this distinguished gallery.
Pallant House Gallery in Chichester is home to one of the greatest collections of twentieth-century British art in the world. The Gallery occupies the Grade I listed Pallant House, one of the very finest early eighteenth century houses in the country, and the linked New Wing, lovingly designed by Colin St John Wilson in part to house his own collection, which he donated to the Gallery.
The Gallery has been a victim of its own success and so has acquired adjoining property to enable it to expand substantially. We have been working with the Gallery and Wright & Wright architects for several years as the conservation advisors to the masterplan for the planned expansion - a rewarding and stimulating task given the sensitivities and complexity of the site.
The masterplan includes the creation of a new Collections Centre, improved visitor facilities and circulation, new learning and community spaces, additional display space and refurbished staff and volunteer accommodation. The scope also includes important upgrades to the main house - which dates from 1712 - and the New Wing.
To inform the project, we prepared a detailed Conservation Plan. Working with Dan Cruickshank, we undertook new research and analysis, the results of which have also formed the basis of a chapter in his book, ‘The English House: A History in Eight Buildings’.
“With such significant existing historic and modern architecture at the heart of a beautiful conservation area, we felt that the Wright & Wright-led team were the best practice to develop bold plans that will be sensitive and thoughtful, enabling us to better serve the needs of our diverse audiences and community, and to better care for and present our internationally-significant collection.” - Simon Martin, Director of Pallant House Gallery
Client: Pallant House Gallery
Architects: Wright & Wright architects