Issue 47 JUNE - Flipbook - Page 7
Purcell developed a conservation management plan that
balances the building’s postmodern character with
21st-century needs, respecting Denise Scott Brown and
Robert Venturi’s original design ethos.
The entrance now features a transparent glazed vestibule,
replacing the heavy revolving doors to reduce ‘threshold
anxiety’ for new audiences. New signage and stone
lettering were hand-carved by the Cardozo Kindersley
Workshop, combining traditional craftsmanship with
modern digital techniques.
An inclusive and sustainable welcome
The design focused on a series of targeted interventions
to improve the gallery’s welcome experience. These
included a new public forecourt, a reimagined entrance,
and updated amenities – each one designed to improve
the experience without compromising the original
architecture.
Inside, the lobby has been reconfigured for better
circulation, daylight, and openness. Structurally, the
windows are the same, but Purcell changed the glass to a
lighter specification, allowing for natural light to flood the
space. New seating, a café, and a multimedia display wall
create a more inviting, navigable arrival.
A previously underused courtyard west of the Sainsbury
Wing has been transformed into a public plaza, connecting Trafalgar Square to Jubilee Walk. Nearby, in the
gallery’s historic Wilkins Building, a new space for members of the gallery has been created, with interiors by
Dutch designers Studio Linse. Opening later in 2025,
Supporters House will be a dedicated area for its patrons
to dine and relax.
NG200 is more than an architectural upgrade – it’s a
reinvestment in public welcome. The project reinforces
the National Gallery’s mission to be open, inclusive and
world class in every sense.
“We hope that the revitalised Sainsbury Wing will allow the
Gallery to welcome first-time visitors and old friends in a way
which matches the exceptional collection.”
Alasdair Travers, Design Partner at Purcell
“Trafalgar Square has always been a place for the people – it
is a site of both celebration and protest, and the National
Gallery is a part of that landscape. By improving access and
enhancing the visitor experience, we’re making this incredible
collection more available to all.”
Alasdair Travers, Design Partner at Purcell
Public engagement was pivotal for ensuring the new
entrance was inclusive and welcoming for all, with
consultation taking place with underrepresented audiences
- including families, disabled visitors, and people who
frequent Trafalgar Square but seldom enter the Gallery –
Below, © The National Gallery, London, photo Edmund Sumner. View of the Grand Staircase with the Rotunda and Jubilee Walk
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Conservation & Heritage Journal
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