Ingleby Gallery, Edinburgh, Photos, Location, Design, Architecture Image

Ingleby Gallery, Edinburgh

Art Gallery by Helen Lucas Architects, Scotland

Information + Photographs from Helen Lucas Architects:

Address: 15-23 Calton Rd, Edinburgh, EH8 8DL

Phone: 0131 556 4441

Ingleby Gallery Edinburgh

From a notorious and dilapidated nightclub, ‘The Venue’, at the back entrance to Waverley Station, light and generous new premises on three levels have been created for Ingleby Gallery, one of the country’s leading private art galleries.

The brief was to provide a clean and uncluttered environment where the architecture would not compete with the art, where the art could be contemplated without interruption.

The major introduction was a new solid oak cascade stair at the rear of the plan connecting all three levels. A finely crafted recessed handrail minimises obstructions to the view.

The main upper gallery is only fully revealed as the corner is turned at the top of the stair, deliberately keeping the circulation away from the art being displayed. The original windows flood the space with natural light – discreetly detailed blinds allow careful control of the lighting conditions to suit exhibition requirements. The omission of skirtings and facings and the subtle management of the existing cranking angles of the building give the essential straight walls and 90 degree corners demanded by curators.

A second gallery is located on the ground floor with the flexibility of its own entrance if required. The open plan print retail area and reception can be divided by concealed pocket doors. Doors throughout thebuilding were to be ‘invisible’ when both open and closed so are full height with flush detailing. When the doors are open ceiling and floor planes run uninterrupted between spaces.

Generous private offices, a library (shelving recessed into two opposite walls, displaying the colourful collection of publications produced by the gallery), and the private viewing room are housed in the lower ground floor, away from the noise of the street and railway, creating a contemplative area for individual works and smaller collections.

Ingleby Gallery images / information from Helen Lucas Architects 280109

Ingleby Gallery Photos : John MacKenzie, Brendan MacNeill and Helen Lucas Architects

Location: 15 Calton Road, just east of city centre, near Waverley Station

Helen Lucas Architects