cagm1907
Submission 69
Design Statement
Our response to the project brief is to propose galleries that enhance the flow of spaces within the existing Art Gallery and Museum and unify the visitor experience. At street level, our proposal welcomes the public by creating a new pedestrian link between Clarence Street and Chester Walk, the journey through inviting informal exhibition opportunities and direct access to a proposed cafe and shop in the adjacent Hugh Casson building. Stairs rise dramatically to link bridges connecting new and existing gallery spaces creating a void that allows for larger art installations. Administration accommodation is moved to occupy a reconfigured number 51. Galleries, adjacent storage rooms and workshops are stacked above the open ground floor, in a thermally massive structure to maximise thermal stability. Natural light is allowed at the ends of each gallery with passive solar shading louvres to control heat gain. These also provide on site power generation by incorporating the latest high concentration photovoltaic cells. Using ground source heat pumps to assist in cooling coupled with the building fabric’s thermal mass, allows the thermal flywheel effect to reduce demand for expensive climate control. Naturally ventilated circulation reduces the requirement for critical temperature control to sensitive galleries, art storage and workshops.
We have proposed to locally source materials from within a maximum 50 mile radius of the site, the majority within 25 miles. Inspired by Arts and Crafts, materials are natural, self-finished and durable so that expensive future maintenance is minimised with detailing describing honestly their construction and assembly.
Cheltenham Art Gallery and Museum
Building for a new future
Submission 69
Design Statement
Our response to the project brief is to propose galleries that enhance the flow of spaces within the existing Art Gallery and Museum and unify the visitor experience. At street level, our proposal welcomes the public by creating a new pedestrian link between Clarence Street and Chester Walk, the journey through inviting informal exhibition opportunities and direct access to a proposed cafe and shop in the adjacent Hugh Casson building. Stairs rise dramatically to link bridges connecting new and existing gallery spaces creating a void that allows for larger art installations. Administration accommodation is moved to occupy a reconfigured number 51. Galleries, adjacent storage rooms and workshops are stacked above the open ground floor, in a thermally massive structure to maximise thermal stability. Natural light is allowed at the ends of each gallery with passive solar shading louvres to control heat gain. These also provide on site power generation by incorporating the latest high concentration photovoltaic cells. Using ground source heat pumps to assist in cooling coupled with the building fabric’s thermal mass, allows the thermal flywheel effect to reduce demand for expensive climate control. Naturally ventilated circulation reduces the requirement for critical temperature control to sensitive galleries, art storage and workshops.
We have proposed to locally source materials from within a maximum 50 mile radius of the site, the majority within 25 miles. Inspired by Arts and Crafts, materials are natural, self-finished and durable so that expensive future maintenance is minimised with detailing describing honestly their construction and assembly.
Cheltenham Art Gallery and Museum
Building for a new future