I selected this site because of its broken rectangular shape as it allowed me to incorporate hallway from street level to the gallery space.
The Artists who were the inspiration behind the design of my gallery were George Gittoes and Patricia Piccinini.
Gittoes presents his view on world and political issues through very graphic paintings, which in effect make spectators feel quite uncomfortable. His views come from first hand experience. Some of these views are expressed in the paintings below which inspired the layout for my art gallery design:
Piccinini works with a range of medium, creating sculptures of strange beast like createures with a uncomfortable human quality. The artworks below were also inspirations to the layout of my gallery:
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I then started to design the gallery space as though i was the owner - someone who has a profound interest in bizarre, and provocative artwork... so strange, that it makes one feel quite uncomfortable...
This innevitably determined the layout and style of my art gallery. It had to have a clear path of circulation making spectators feel hesitant and uncomfortable, in progressing the spaces... the same emotions which the artworks evoke from the spectators.
There was to be a clear distinction between the artgallery space - the apartment space and the inbetween space (sales -lounge area).
Circulation was the most important aspect of my gallery design, this is due to the research i conducted on existing Sydney art galleries such as The Meyer gallery in Darlinghurst, United Galleries in Darlinghurst and others. I found that the best art galleries were those with clear circulation paths with artworks presented in a clean and neat fashion.
The Design
I wanted to break the static composition of the Newtown streetscape by eliminating the awning and introducing an angled facade which will direct people to walk with the angle. Once you enter the hallway you are smothered by a sloped roof which creates an impression that the room is growing smaller... you are also given hints of what lies within this strange building by the slits cut out of the wall... the sense of ambiguity created by the hallway and slits.. keeps spectators moving... wanting to know more about this space.
You then enter the gallery space which is illuminated by platforms housing strange sculptures by Patricia Piccinini... as the uncomfortable feelings emerge they are exemplified by the meshed walkway of the second level gallery space... the tactile nature of the circulation changes from concrete, to the aluminium staircase to the mesh walkway, making the spectator hesitant to continue.. these emotions i am trying to convey through the circulation allude to the emotions felt by spectators viewing Gittoes, Piccininis and the work of other artists of this kind.
The circulation finally leads the spectators to a 3rd level courtyard where they can sit in a tranquil landscaped setting, and reflect on the artwork they just experienced... \
PROGRAM:
Clearly defined public and private spaces by material changes and openings
Access from back lane to workroom to sales room to gallery space with roller doors allowing easy importing and exporting of artworks.
LIGHT
Light enters through A fibre optic front facade, similar to the one pictured below:
The 3 skylights in the aluminium roof are designed to relect a diffused light around the circulaton space, the glass awning enclosing the 3rd level courtyard will allow light to filter through the levels below.
PLANS AND SECTION
PERSPECTIVES - Illustrating the journey from King st sidewalk into the gallery space
ROOM SECTION
