Standard Bank Art Gallery
| Project Name: | Standard Bank Art Gallery |
| Client: | Standard Bank Real Estate Investment |
| Location: | Simmonds Street, Johannesburg CBD |
| Date: | 2004 |
| Size: | 1 950m² |
The refurbishment of the existing Standard Bank Art Gallery in the city centre was an opportunity to maximise the potential of the existing gallery to create a space neutral enough for exhibitions but strong enough to establish a sense of pride in the building.
The entrance at ground floor is through a light and airy double-volume foyer flanked by two small exhibition spaces, and framed by a pair of stairs. The double-volume allows glimpses into the gallery and light from circular skylights above to spill down into the entry. A flying bridge at first floor articulates the dramatic volume. Beyond the foyer is a drum space, which at ground becomes an audio-visual space showing three new media pieces simultaneously. An archive and storage area wraps this volume.
The stairs take visitors up to the first floor drum, from which the first floor display galleries spin out. The edges of the drum are squared to increase display area, and take up servicing requirements. The three gallery spaces on the first floor are subdivisible and complimented on the west edge by gallery staff offices looking into the display spaces.
Although the nature of the building function gives licence to create exciting spaces, there are very specific requirements of lighting and display. The aesthetic is one of clean white uninterrupted planes of walls and ceilings, with indirect daylight and recessed artificial lighting creating light washed walls with spotlights for particular works.
The support columns have become clean lit shafts with crisp edges framing the open vistas of spaces beyond. The floors are a rich polished teak, offsetting the cool walls, and reflecting light from above, and the stairs are treated with stainless steel and timber balustrades. The finishes have a uniform quality allowing the art to be the focus of attention.
The entrance at ground floor is through a light and airy double-volume foyer flanked by two small exhibition spaces, and framed by a pair of stairs. The double-volume allows glimpses into the gallery and light from circular skylights above to spill down into the entry. A flying bridge at first floor articulates the dramatic volume. Beyond the foyer is a drum space, which at ground becomes an audio-visual space showing three new media pieces simultaneously. An archive and storage area wraps this volume.
The stairs take visitors up to the first floor drum, from which the first floor display galleries spin out. The edges of the drum are squared to increase display area, and take up servicing requirements. The three gallery spaces on the first floor are subdivisible and complimented on the west edge by gallery staff offices looking into the display spaces.
Although the nature of the building function gives licence to create exciting spaces, there are very specific requirements of lighting and display. The aesthetic is one of clean white uninterrupted planes of walls and ceilings, with indirect daylight and recessed artificial lighting creating light washed walls with spotlights for particular works.
The support columns have become clean lit shafts with crisp edges framing the open vistas of spaces beyond. The floors are a rich polished teak, offsetting the cool walls, and reflecting light from above, and the stairs are treated with stainless steel and timber balustrades. The finishes have a uniform quality allowing the art to be the focus of attention.
