Farrell Centre opens as an ‘urban room’ for the people of Newcastle
Farrell Centre opens in Newcastle, UK, offering a space for architecture debate and for the local people to learn more about their city

The Farrell Centre, Newcastle University School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape's newly opened architecture hub, seeks to return people to the heart of the often esoteric planning process. The centre has just been inaugurated by Sir Terry Farrell – a key force behind this opening – and launched to the public.
In the 2014 Farrell Review that instigated the centre, the government-commissioned report recommended that every city should have an 'urban room' where locals can go and learn about the past, present and future of where they live. Located in the Claremont Building, a four-storey Grade II-listed former department store designed by W Hope in 1896, the Farrell Centre comprises a gallery, a research hub and a community space. Its public programme will consist of temporary exhibitions, talks and workshops as well as publications, podcasts and other digital projects set to address urban contemporary issues.
Farrell Centre launches in Newcastle
A large atrium greets visitors upon entering the building. It has a reception desk and a lecture pit, which acts as a space for improvised talks, presentations and performances. A new multicoloured staircase scales the north of the building, revealing retained features, such as the original fireplaces and brick coursing as guests are guided through the building. The project was designed as a collaboration between two local studios, Space Architects and Elliot Architects, in conjunction with Owen Hopkins, the centre’s director and formerly of the Soane Museum; it stands as an exemplar of the transmuting potential of retrofit.
The main gallery space is placed within four rooms, awash with light, on the first floor. They will house the temporary exhibitions. The inaugural show, titled 'More with Less: Reimagining Architecture for a Changing World', is a group show of four designers displaying how architecture can address the climate catastrophe through innovation.
The 'Urban Rooms', three multi-use spaces on the second floor, host exhibits designed by CAN and installations focusing on Tyneside’s illustrious urban history. They also form a backdrop to the aforementioned programme of talks, seminars, roundtables and workshops. This space, available to local communities, is the centre’s raison d’être, and is designed to adapt to their requirements. Hopkins speaks of the planning system as historically 'mitigating development' but hopes that 'the centre will spark projects that are proactive'.
For Sir Terry Farrell, this is something of a homecoming. He grew up and studied in the city, and this centre comes three decades after his masterplan for Newcastle’s quayside; two after his Newcastle City masterplan; and almost ten years after he gifted his archive to the university. With Farrell having donated £1 million of the £4.6 million funding needed for the centre to be set up, this is a key part of his legacy – a place that engenders optimism for the future of cities.
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
-
Michael Rider’s joyful Celine debut: ‘I’ve always loved the idea of clothing that lives on’
Presented today in Celine’s Paris HQ, the designer’s astute debut balanced the house’s recent legacy with a fresh, contemporary vision which nodded to his American roots
-
The Richard Mille x Brough Superior RMB01 is a motorcycle with an exceptional aesthetic pedigree
The RMB01 is what happens when horological obsession meets two-wheeled excellence: a Franco-Swiss racing motorcycle that brings out the best in both brands
-
Six modern bathroom ideas for spaces big and small
Here are our best bathroom designs for 2026: colours, curves and a calming ambience are making a splash this season, with tactile and textured surfaces to elevate your shower room
-
The inimitable Norman Foster: our guide to the visionary architect, shaping the future
Norman Foster has shaped today's London and global architecture like no other in his field; explore his work through our ultimate guide to this most impactful contemporary architect
-
Kengo Kuma’s ‘Paper Clouds’ in London is a ‘poem’ celebrating washi paper in construction
‘Paper Clouds’, an installation by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, is a poetic design that furthers research into the use of washi paper in construction
-
Foster + Partners to design the national memorial to Queen Elizabeth II
For the Queen Elizabeth II memorial, Foster + Partners designs proposal includes a new bridge, gates, gardens and figurative sculptures in St James’ Park
-
Wolves Lane Centre brings greenery, growing and grass roots together
Wolves Lane Centre, a new, green community hub in north London by Material Cultures and Studio Gil, brings to the fore natural materials and a spirit of togetherness
-
This ingenious London office expansion was built in an on-site workshop
New Wave London and Thomas-McBrien Architects make a splash with this glulam extension built in the very studio it sought to transform. Here's how they did it
-
Once vacant, London's grand department stores are getting a new lease on life
Thanks to imaginative redevelopment, these historic landmarks are being reborn as residences, offices, gyms and restaurants. Here's what's behind the trend
-
Lego and Serpentine celebrate World Play Day with a new pavilion
Lego and Serpentine have just unveiled their Play Pavilion; a colourful new structure in Kensington Gardens in London and a gesture that celebrates World Play Day (11 June)
-
Inside Abbey Road's refresh: touring the legendary studio's new interior
Abbey Road gets an interior refresh by Threefold Architects, bringing the legendary London recording studio in tune with the 21st century