{"id":713138,"date":"2023-10-17T05:48:44","date_gmt":"2023-10-17T04:48:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.architectsjournal.co.uk\/?p=713138"},"modified":"2023-10-17T10:34:02","modified_gmt":"2023-10-17T09:34:02","slug":"case-study-towner-gallery-by-manalo-white-architects","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.architectsjournal.co.uk\/specification\/case-study-towner-gallery-by-manalo-white-architects","title":{"rendered":"Case study: Towner Gallery by Manalo & White Architects"},"content":{"rendered":"

We altered the spatial arrangement to create a more generous foyer that allows a better understanding of the building as a whole. Being able to easily orientate oneself within a gallery or museum is important; studies have shown it increases the length of a visitor\u2019s stay, which in turn permits a deeper engagement with art. The brief demanded an interior design that felt like it had always been part of Rick Mather\u2019s original 2009 design. We opened up the interior, stripping away walls, fittings and finishes. New materials needed to respect the original palette of what was left.<\/p>\n

The caf\u00e9, previously hidden behind two sets of double doors, is now directly connected to the entrance foyer. A discreet retail area has been formed to one side, away from the busier thoroughfare of the foyer. A new window brings natural light deeper into the plan and reveals the interior to passers-by on the street outside on what was originally a long run of blank wall, now animated by artist Lothar G\u00f6tz\u2019s colourful mural Dance Diagonal<\/i>.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

New joinery around the foyer for lockers, benching, bookcases and cabinetry was designed as pieces of furniture pushed up against the walls, leaving the central floor area as clear as possible. Some were designed full-height to suit the scale of the space and to accommodate acoustic attenuation measures at high level.
\n<\/span>Stephen Beasley, project architect, Manalo & White Architects<\/i><\/p>\n

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Project data<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n

Start on site <\/b>October 2021
\nCompletion <\/b>April 2022
\nGross internal floor area <\/b>600m\u00b2
\nConstruction cost <\/b>\u00a3800,000
\nConstruction cost per m2<\/sup> <\/b>\u00a31,333
\nArchitect <\/b>Manalo & White Architects
\nClient<\/b> Towner Gallery
\nStructural engineer<\/b> Corbett & Tasker
\nM&E<\/b> Ritchie+Daffin
\nQS <\/b>V12
\nProject manager <\/b>V12
\nApproved building inspector <\/b>East Sussex Building Control Partnership
\nMain contractor <\/b>Vulcan Ellis
\nFire engineer<\/b> Thomson Fire
\nAccess consultant <\/b>JAW Inclusive Design
\nCAD software used <\/b>Vectorworks<\/p>\n

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Architect\u2019s choices<\/b><\/h3>\n

Poor acoustics are problematic in spaces where conversation and interaction with staff is important. Acoustic panels are integrated within the joinery and the concrete soffits so they unobtrusively reduce the extent of exposed concrete.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

A felt wool curtain in the larger gallery space dramatically softens the hard acoustics typical of \u2018white cube\u2019 spaces for event speakers or performances. It can be drawn across the glazed wall to screen the space from the foyer when used for private meetings or when an exhibition requires a dimmed space.<\/span><\/p>\n

The unifying element that runs throughout the gallery and circulation spaces is a fibre-reinforced cement screed.<\/span><\/p>\n

A ribbed, pale green entrance matting was chosen for the lobby to complement the green-tinged, full-height glazing of the existing fa\u00e7ade.
\n<\/span>Stephen Beasley, project architect, Manalo & White Architects<\/i><\/p>\n

\n

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Specification<\/h3>\n

Existing ERCO lighting was repurposed as suspended tracks, hanging lower than the existing concrete beams to avoid overshadowing and to increase flexibility. The lighting provides another level of adaptability; it can be changed from cool, brightly lit gallery settings to warm, dimmer settings for social events or performances.<\/span><\/p>\n

Reducing electrical consumption was another aim of the design. The original light fittings were replaced with energy-efficient LEDs and the traditional gallery fluorescent strip lights were replaced with diffused linear LED fittings.<\/span><\/p>\n

Formica was chosen for its blank, planar qualities, counterbalanced by the fine grain of deliberately hefty solid oak framing. It was considered important for visitors to be able to drift in and not feel immediately confronted by a receptionist upon entry, so the new reception desk is an unfussy, simple form.<\/span><\/p>\n

Colour was largely subdued in circulation spaces to enable the Towner Gallery\u2019s vivid graphic identity to stand out and enhance wayfinding. The warm pinks of bespoke lighting and Kvadrat-upholstered bench seating bring warmth into the foyer. A red Durat reception desk worktop stands out as an attractively shiny highlight among the otherwise matt surfaces.<\/span><\/p>\n

A large wraparound bright green curtain in the main studio signals that this is not a typical white cube gallery space, but one intended for performances and more playful activities. The fabric is Divina Melange by Kvadrat, a piece-dyed woollen upholstery textile reminiscent of felt. It transforms the room in a second way: as acoustic attenuation it absorbs reverberating sound, significantly improving the audibility of performers and speakers.
\n<\/span>Stephen Beasley, project architect, Manalo & White Architects<\/i><\/p>\n

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Selected products<\/h3>\n

Polished concrete floor
\n<\/b>Puur Floors
\nPolished concrete overlay Puur PSR, pigment colour NCS 7005 Y20R
\nFoyer and reception
\n<\/b>puurfloors.com<\/a>
\n<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

External door set and side light
\n<\/b>Jansen
\nJansen Janisol Marine Coating RAL 9004
\nRear entrance
\n<\/b>jansen.com<\/a><\/em>
\n<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Glazed screen\/doors
\n<\/b>Optima
\nTechnishield 65 60\/60 rebated double door sets with overpanel and side screens, bespoke RAL
\nFoyer and studio
\n<\/i>optimasystems.com<\/a><\/em>
\n<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

Acoustic ceiling boards
\n<\/b>Baux
\nBAUX Natural Acoustic Wool
\nFoyer
\n<\/b>baux.com<\/a><\/em>
\n<\/b><\/p>\n

Suspended linear light
\n<\/b>Specials Lighting Design
\nSL 3836 bespoke RAL finish
\nFoyer
\n<\/b>specialslighting.co.uk<\/a><\/em>
\n<\/b><\/p>\n

Modular linear LED
\n<\/b>Whitecroft Lighting
\nAvenue Metro
\nStudios 1 and 2
\n<\/b>whitecroftlighting.com<\/em><\/a><\/b><\/p>\n

Spotlights and track<\/strong>
\nERCO Lighting
\nParscan and ERCO Track Silver
\nRetail unit
\n<\/b>erco.com<\/a><\/em>
\n<\/b><\/p>\n

Curtain
\n<\/b>Installer: Soltech, fabric: Kvadrat
\nDivina Melange 3, Colour: 0937
\nStudio
\n<\/b>kvadrat.dk<\/a><\/em>
\n<\/b><\/p>\n

Laminate
\n<\/b>Formica
\nGraphite F7837
\nFoyer and retail unit
\n<\/b>formica.com<\/a><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The new foyer for Eastbourne\u2019s Towner Gallery aims to stitch the other spaces together while providing a convivial space where visitors can pause<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":713450,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_oasis_is_in_workflow":0,"_oasis_original":0,"ep_exclude_from_search":false},"categories":[721],"tags":[100521,1716,1325,100495],"yoast_head":"\nCase study: Towner Gallery by Manalo & White Architects<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The new foyer for Eastbourne\u2019s Towner Gallery aims to stitch the other spaces together while providing a convivial space where visitors can pause. 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