Hat-trick: Caruso St John architects unveil Liverpool Philharmonic, plus galleries for Damien Hirst and Larry Gagosian
Three high-profile projects designed by architecture studio Caruso St John have opened in the space of just two weeks.
Two private art galleries designed by the firm have opened their doors in London; Damien Hirst’s £25m (US$38.2m, €33m) Newport Street Gallery and Larry Gagosian’s third – the largest gallery in the capital. Work has also been completed on a large-scale refurbishment of the 1939 Grade II-listed Liverpool Philharmonic Hall.
The Newport Street Gallery is set out over two levels and comprises a string of three listed theatre production warehouses and two new buildings, which stretch the entire length of a street in Vauxhall. The new additions by Caruso St John use similar materials to the existing buildings, which were built in 1913.
Free for the public to visit, the 3,437sq m (37,000sq ft) gallery, houses the personal collection of Damien Hirst, comprising more than 3,000 pieces, including works by Francis Bacon, Jeff Koons and Banksy. The gallery also includes a shop and a café.
The gallery’s inaugural exhibition is dedicated to the work of John Hoyland, with the Sheffield-born abstract artist’s work filling all the building’s six gallery spaces.
The development is seen by local authority Lambeth Council as the start of a “Gallery Quarter,” alongside a major regeneration project in the area. This includes an extension to the underground, the regeneration of nearby Waterloo Station and a regeneration of Brixton.
Larry Gagosian’s new gallery is his 15th location. The Gagosian Grosvenor Hill in Mayfair is Caruso St John’s seventh collaboration with Gagosian, having also designed the US art dealer’s galleries in Hong Kong, Paris and Rome, as well as a smaller Mayfair location.
The 1,600sq m (17,200sq ft) gallery is centrally lit, with dark oak floors for contrast. The building’s exterior was designed by architects Tate Hindle. Clad in light-grey bricks, the building includes two large windows, which offer natural light and access for larger arriving artworks. The interior also includes two double-height gallery spaces with large openings, designed to give the ability to showcase a range of different pieces.
The gallery has been developed in conjunction with the land owner, Grosvenor Estates, which leased the building to Gagosian for 20 years. The development is part of a wider cultural regeneration of the area, with recent additions including the the headquarters of Phillips auction house, Sadie Coles gallery and fashion designer Hussein Chalayan's first shop.
The Liverpool Philharmonic Hall launched its new 250-capacity Music Room on 10 October, signalling the completion of its £14.5m (US$22.4m, €19.7m) refurbishment.
The renovations were carried out in two phases. The first stage, beginning in May 2014, saw work completed on the main hall, auditorium, backstage dressing rooms and the front of house space. Construction then began on the Music Room, which has been built at the rear of the main hall. It's designed to host concerts, smaller-scale performances, masterclasses and workshops. The venue can use cabaret-style seating or be cleared to create standing space.
The architects were tasked with enhancing the drama of the building’s original art deco detailing and design, and making the Hall more accessible and sustainable. They researched original architect Herbert Rowse’s intentions for the Hall and took inspiration from buildings designed by some of the contemporaries he admired.
Construction and fit-out contractor Gilbert-Ash were hired to undertake the refurbishment, following their work on the Stirling Prize-winning Liverpool Everyman Theatre.
Following the completion of the work, Michael Eakin, Liverpool Philharmonic’s chief executive, said: “With a design approach led by our architects Caruso St. John that's based on respecting and enhancing the heritage of the Hall with innovative design – we’ve aimed to ensure that building remains a beautiful, relevant and central part of Liverpool’s cultural and community life."











Damien Hirst and Massive Attack revealed as collaborators for Banksy's twisted theme park
Damien Hirst's personal collection to go on display at new gallery in 2015
Tate Modern welcomes record visitor numbers in 2012


Architizer celebrates best of spa and wellness architecture at 11th Annual A+Awards

“We finally have a space worthy of our collection”: V&A launches huge new Photography Centre

Immersive storytelling museum takes pride of place at revamped Tiffany & Co. in NYC following redesign led by Peter Marino and OMA

Elegant Dior spa inspired by nature opens at Hôtel Du Cap-Eden-Roc in Antibes

Bjarke Ingels among finalists chosen in design competition for National Museum of the United States Navy

De Matos Ryan and AOC Architecture prepare to open Young V&A London

ACPV Architects Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel creates new Bulgari Tokyo

Manchester City submits £300m Populous-designed plans to redevelop Etihad Stadium and add 400-bedroom hotel

Woods Bagot completes $120m refurb of Continental Sorrento with subterranean bathhouse and spa

New Dior spa carriage opens aboard Belmond’s luxury Royal Scotsman train

Bjarke Ingels creates meandering eco distillery attraction for Blue Run Kentucky

bbspa_Group to realise urban destination spa inside Sardinian football stadium

Thinkwell to deliver the world's first Play-Doh attractions in Saudi Arabia

Jayasom partners with Amaala to unveil multigenerational health resort in Saudi Arabia

OMA's Ellen van Loon is the visionary behind new cultural centre for Manchester

James Corner Field Operations creates Highline for London

Esbjerg’s landmark maritime center, designed by WERK Arkitekter and Snøhetta, opens to the public

SEVEN to open world’s first indoor Discovery Adventures centres in Saudi Arabia

Fun and fear drive new Universal attraction concepts for Texas and Las Vegas

Voelker Gray Design creates 10-acre hot springs wellness haven for Atlanta

AIDarchitecten create healing spa for Antwerp's Botanic Sanctuary

Hollaway Studio's Seahive would bring blue health to South-East England

SEVEN to invest US$13bn in developing entertainment destinations across Saudi Arabia

World Spa’s expansive 50,000sq ft urban bathhouse and wellness club opens in Brooklyn

Floating Salmon Eye visitor attraction by Kvorning Design highlights sustainable aquaculture

White Arkitekter's Wood Hotel in Skellefteå Swedish Lapland is climate positive and made from local timber

Nohlab's 'Everything' installation among Noor Riyadh festival highlights

Bob Iger's return to Disney sparks major restructuring focused on creativity and storytelling

Therme Group plans US$200m urban wellbeing resort in South Korea
