It has been a history of firsts for the well-known Whitechapel Gallery, since it was founded in 1901. The East London gallery's long list of pioneering shows introduced names such as Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko, David Hockney and Gilbert & George, to the British public.
So, it came as no surprise when the gallery chose Belgian architects Robbrecht and Daem to design its new extension into the adjacent existing Passmore Edwards library: this is the practice's first UK project.
The Ghent-based architects have already gained great respect in their home country, their work ranging from the Bruges Concert Hall (2003) and Ann Demeulemeester’s shop and showroom (2000) in Belgian fashion-capital Antwerp, to the renovation of shipping warehouse Katoen Natie’s main HQ (Antwerp, 2001), incorporating the Museum of Coptic Textile (2006), and the Aue Pavilion in Kassel (1992).
The architects have a long-standing relationship with the arts, having worked with artists in most of their projects, incorporating creative work into architectural designs.
Click here to see more of the architects’ work
In the Whitechapel project, in collaboration with upcoming British architects Witherford Watson Mann and Rachel Whiteread as artistic advisor, Robbrecht and Daem’s winning proposal worked towards restoring the fabric of the old library to incorporate the new spaces, connecting them to the original gallery.
After the works, the Whitechapel will house refreshed Collections and Commissions galleries, an Archive Gallery and Research Room, and an impressive three-storey Education and Research Tower.
Click here to get an idea of the Whitechapel project
The gallery’s extension will increase its capacity, restoring with care both historical buildings, also aiming to play an important role in the area’s regeneration. The Belgian architects are the ideal choice to team up with the renowned gallery. Not only do they produce carefully thought and discreet, yet striking designs, but they also have great experience in working harmoniously with artists.
Due for completion in spring 2009, the Whitechapel gallery will be an exciting addition to London’s thriving art gallery scene, which also lead to the recent Victoria Miro space by Michael Drain with Claudio Silvestrin, and the ongoing South London Gallery project by 6a Architects, whose phase 2 is scheduled to open in 2009.
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