White Cube I
White Cube I
New build art gallery in a courtyard within the St. James’s conservation area of central London.
The design of the gallery embodies the key qualities of discretion and reserve that characterise the St James’s area of London. The building is first encountered on entering Mason’s Yard through one of a number of narrow footpaths and covered alleyways that lead from the surrounding streets; hidden from view, calm and understated, the White Cube strikes a deliberate contrast to the jarring array of mismatched buildings which make up the perimeter of the courtyard.
At ground level, concrete panels wrap around the base of the structure, whilst above the concrete plinth the rendered volume is cut by a series of precise light slots with a glazed box extending further above the render.
The project required the excavation of an 8 meter deep basement to provide a large underground gallery which receives natural light through a pair of long slots cut into the courtyard paving. On ground level the building has a gallery directly accessed from the courtyard, with offices, private viewing rooms and a roof terrace located on the three upper levels.
The project also included a complete resurfacing of the courtyard’s footpaths and highway to allow the building to sit comfortably within its stone surroundings.
Concrete panels wrap around the base of the structure, whilst above the concrete plinth the rendered volume is cut by a series of precise light slots
The project also included a complete resurfacing of the courtyard’s footpaths and highway to allow the building to sit comfortably within its stone surroundings.
The project required the excavation of an 8-meter-deep basement to provide a large underground gallery which receives natural light through a pair of long slots cut into the courtyard paving above
