Architecture
Victoria Miro Gallery extension
Architecture
Victoria Miro Gallery is known to have one of the most interesting spaces for art display in London since it moved in 2000 to its current location – the old converted furniture warehouse on 16 Wharf Road - but this didn’t stop them from aiming even higher. The gallery’s great success and growing needs urged the owners recently to expand into the adjacent refurbished Victorian brick building on number 14.
Click here to view gallery.
The project, executed by Michael Drain Architects is based on a conception by well-known minimalist Claudio Silvestrin. The new galleries occupy the building’s top two levels (including the newly added last floor) and are designed to host private and public exhibitions. The gallery is as airy and bright as it could be, striking an impressive balance with the displayed artwork. 'We wanted the building to be in conversation with the city', says Drain. The main space, reached via a triple-height sleek staircase, is white, smooth and clean-lined offering a great canvas to show art, but is also naturally top-lit with floor-to-ceiling double glazed windows, featuring as well a large terrace with wide views promising great opening parties!
The extension opened in early June. It is located just over the Parasol Unit Foundation of Contemporary Art (open May 2005), which is based on the same building’s lower floors and was also designed by Drain. Even though the two galleries are united harmoniously under one shell, they retain their special character each, which shows both in their design philosophy and materials (for example, wooden floor for Miro is swapped for polished concrete for the Parasol Unit).
Victoria Miro currently shows work by portraitist Alice Neel, photographer Francesca Woodman and painter Hernan Bas in three separate exhibitions. The new space, which can be reached through the existing No16 gallery, will be open to the public till the 21st July and then for selected exhibitions from next autumn.
INFORMATION
Photography: James Morris
- Website
- www.victoria-miro.com
- Address
- Victoria Miro Gallery
16 Wharf Road
London N1 7RW
