Alex Cochrane Architects has redesigned three National Portrait Gallery shops, a two-year project and “labour of love”
Following a successful competitive tender, the London based, Irish born architect who has designed retail spaces for Selfridges trawled the breadth of the country looking at what makes a successful Gallery shop and a retail destination.
The meticulously planned design, part of a wider transformational redevelopment project at the National Portrait Gallery, takes in the Main Shop, which nestles between the gallery’s existing and new north entrance on the north corner of the building with a façade onto the street. Two further shops service the Gallery’s two exhibition spaces.
To allow the architectural detailing to sing, scale, size, and materials were carefully considered and chosen for their sustainable, low environmental impact credentials with local, re-usable, recycled, second hand and green certified materials prioritized. Bold pops of colour have been used throughout to create contrast in key locations, catch the wandering eye and provide unexpected joy.
“We understood the National Portrait Gallery’s retail ambitions were considerable – not least for choosing this prominent new location for the main shop. We were very excited by the architecture of the space. We loved the soaring ceiling heights, the monumental windows, and the stone portals. I have been visiting the Gallery since studying for my A levels and then regularly as a degree student at Chelsea College of Art. On a personal level, to be able to contribute positively to this historic space really is a dream come true.” Alex Cochrane, Architect, Alex Cochrane Architects
“A place to inspire and delight, our three new shops will be a retail destination, irrespective of whether you are visiting the Gallery or an art lover. Our buying teams have worked hard to curate unique ranges that are inspired by the collection from some of the finest and most inspiring contemporary designers and makers, with a narrative that relates to the National Portrait Gallery.”
Anna Starling, Director of Commercial, National Portrait Gallery
In the new main shop visitors will find an inspiring space that intertwines the Gallery’s art pieces amongst a wide selection of carefully curated new products spanning jewellery, home, design, fashion, art and lifestyle, from designers such as Grainne Morton, Amelia Graham, Bridie Hall and Kate Monckton with a series of large-scale display structures that dwarf expected norms.
Historical details have been uncovered and exposed, such as the roof light which was hidden for many years – three large plaster roundels that were discovered in the attic of the Gallery during the refurbishment have also been hung in the space. They were the plasters for the artists portrayed on the Gallery’s façade of Roubiliac, Holbein and Chantrey.
Architectural display furniture has been purposefully designed at a scale that reflects the historical volumes, shapes and forms of the space. Tall arched shelves echo the stone portals rising high towards the ceiling but stopping respectfully short of the period architectural detailing. Thin halos of light outline the curvature of the furniture serving a practical purpose of lighting the product and catching the attention of passersby on the Ground Floor and those on the street. A soaring arched furniture unit is perfectly placed between two monumental teak windows and contains bright yellow jewellery cabinets that are unmissable from the new entrance hall.
Limited editions and prints are presented on three continuous metallic shelves that float weightlessly off the walls of with a large handsome oak table below offering a generous surface area to view each one with framing options to hand in shallow side drawers. It is topped with the architectural framework of the original lantern light that was covered since the 1940s now taking centre stage and boosting the lofty space.
The First Floor Exhibition Shop
A new shop space in what was a gallery is positioned outside the temporary exhibition gallery space, which calls for all furniture to be movable as artworks will pass through. A minimalistic design and muted materials are complimentary to the classical backdrop. Richlite was used to create the furniture in this shop – an incredibly durable and sustainable material made using 100% recycled products including FSC certified paper and resin.
The Ground Floor Exhibition Shop
A new Ground Floor Exhibition Shop replaces the previous shop, which served the temporary gallery. Unlike the other two shop spaces, the room is absent of notable period detailing and ceiling heights are lower. The existing walls were wrapped in metal panels supporting continuous shelves. Non-metallic furniture is constructed in Linoleaum made from 97% natural materials, 30% recycled and 100% recyclable and compostable.
National Portrait Gallery
Founded in 1856, the National Portrait Gallery tells the story of Britain through portraits, using art to bring history to life and explore living today. From global icons, to unsung heroes, our Collection is filled with the stories that have shaped, and continue to shape a nation. We celebrate the power of portraiture and offer encounters with some of the world’s greatest and most exciting new artists, promoting engagement with portraiture in all media to a wide- ranging public by conserving, growing and sharing the world’s largest collection of portraits.
The Gallery in St Martin’s Place, London is currently closed until 22 June 2023, while essential building works take place on the Inspiring People redevelopment project, which will transform the Gallery, including a complete refurbishment of the building and a new learning centre. During the closure period, we have continued to share our Collection digitally, as well as through a series of nationwide partnerships and collaborations.
www.npg.org.uk
Collaborators on the Inspiring People project include Jamie Fobert Architects; conservation architects, Purcell; structural engineers, Price & Myers; services engineers, Max Fordham; project manager, Gardiner & Theobald; main contractor, Gilbert Ash; and interpretation designers, Nissen Richards Studio.
Following a successful competitive tender, the London based, Irish born architect who has designed retail spaces for Selfridges trawled the breadth of the country looking at what makes a successful Gallery shop and a retail destination.
The meticulously planned design, part of a wider transformational redevelopment project at the National Portrait Gallery, takes in the Main Shop, which nestles between the gallery’s existing and new north entrance on the north corner of the building with a façade onto the street. Two further shops service the Gallery’s two exhibition spaces.
To allow the architectural detailing to sing, scale, size, and materials were carefully considered and chosen for their sustainable, low environmental impact credentials with local, re-usable, recycled, second hand and green certified materials prioritized. Bold pops of colour have been used throughout to create contrast in key locations, catch the wandering eye and provide unexpected joy.
Alex Cochrane, “We understood the National Portrait Gallery’s retail ambitions were considerable – not least for choosing this prominent new location for the main shop. We were very excited by the architecture of the space. We loved the soaring ceiling heights, the monumental windows, and the stone portals. I have been visiting the Gallery since studying for my A levels and then regularly as a degree student at Chelsea College of Art. On a personal level, to be able to contribute positively to this historic space really is a dream come true.”
“A place to inspire and delight, our three new shops will be a retail destination, irrespective of whether you are visiting the Gallery or an art lover. Our buying teams have worked hard to curate unique ranges that are inspired by the collection from some of the finest and most inspiring contemporary designers and makers, with a narrative that relates to the National Portrait Gallery.” Anna Starling, Director of Commercial, National Portrait Gallery
In the new main shop visitors will find an inspiring space that intertwines the Gallery’s art pieces amongst a wide selection of carefully curated new products spanning jewellery, home, design, fashion, art and lifestyle, from designers such as Grainne Morton, Amelia Graham, Bridie Hall and Kate Monckton with a series of large-scale display structures that dwarf expected norms.
Historical details have been uncovered and exposed, such as the roof light which was hidden for many years – three large plaster roundels that were discovered in the attic of the Gallery during the refurbishment have also been hung in the space. They were the plasters for the artists portrayed on the Gallery’s façade of Roubiliac, Holbein and Chantrey.
Architectural display furniture has been purposefully designed at a scale that reflects the historical volumes, shapes and forms of the space. Tall arched shelves echo the stone portals rising high towards the ceiling but stopping respectfully short of the period architectural detailing. Thin halos of light outline the curvature of the furniture serving a practical purpose of lighting the product and catching the attention of passersby on the Ground Floor and those on the street. A soaring arched furniture unit is perfectly placed between two monumental teak windows and contains bright yellow jewellery cabinets that are unmissable from the new entrance hall.
Limited editions and prints are presented on three continuous metallic shelves that float weightlessly off the walls of with a large handsome oak table below offering a generous surface area to view each one with framing options to hand in shallow side drawers. It is topped with the architectural framework of the original lantern light that was covered since the 1940s now taking centre stage and boosting the lofty space.
The First Floor Exhibition Shop
A new shop space in what was a gallery is positioned outside the temporary exhibition gallery space, which calls for all furniture to be movable as artworks will pass through. A minimalistic design and muted materials are complimentary to the classical backdrop. Richlite was used to create the furniture in this shop – an incredibly durable and sustainable material made using 100% recycled products including FSC certified paper and resin.
The Ground Floor Exhibition Shop
A new Ground Floor Exhibition Shop replaces the previous shop, which served the temporary gallery. Unlike the other two shop spaces, the room is absent of notable period detailing and ceiling heights are lower. The existing walls were wrapped in metal panels supporting continuous shelves. Non-metallic furniture is constructed in Linoleaum made from 97% natural materials, 30% recycled and 100% recyclable and compostable.
National Portrait Gallery
Founded in 1856, the National Portrait Gallery tells the story of Britain through portraits, using art to bring history to life and explore living today. From global icons, to unsung heroes, our Collection is filled with the stories that have shaped, and continue to shape a nation. We celebrate the power of portraiture and offer encounters with some of the world’s greatest and most exciting new artists, promoting engagement with portraiture in all media to a wide- ranging public by conserving, growing and sharing the world’s largest collection of portraits.
The Gallery in St Martin’s Place, London is currently closed until 22 June 2023, while essential building works take place on the Inspiring People redevelopmentproject, which will transform the Gallery, including a complete refurbishment of the building and a new learning centre. During the closure period, we have continued toshare our Collection digitally, as well as through a series of nationwide partnerships and collaborations.
www.npg.org.uk
Collaborators on the Inspiring People project include Jamie Fobert Architects; conservation architects, Purcell; structural engineers, Price & Myers; services engineers, Max Fordham; project manager, Gardiner & Theobald; main contractor, Gilbert Ash; and interpretation designers, Nissen Richards Studio.