Pallant House, a Grade 1 listed Queen Anne townhouse, opened as a gallery 1982 with an original bequest of around 100 paintings and drawings from Walter Hussey, who was Dean of Chichester Cathedral. Over the next two decades the gallery’s collection continued to grow until only about 30% of the works could be on display at any one time.

In 1997 the opportunity arose to extend the existing gallery with the addition of a contemporary wing, transforming it into

a world class art gallery and housing one of the most important collections of British 20th century art in the world. Architects Long & Kentish, in association with Professor Sir Colin St John Wilson, were commissioned to design and build the contemporary extension. Professor Wilson has donated his own collection of modern British art to Pallant House Gallery.

There were various challenges to be overcome, including planning permission and working within a densely-built conservation area in a historic Cathedral city, but the final building is a sympathetic dialogue between the historic house and new wing. In addition, a new courtyard garden designed by Christopher Bradley-Hole, an art reference library, an education studio, a lecture room, a restaurant and a bookshop adds to the visitors’ experience.

Seventeen galleries now allow the collections, temporary exhibitions and education and outreach projects to be shown to their best advantage. The Gallery is the first in the UK to have a geothermal ‘green’ heating and cooling system.

The £8.6 million building project was funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, individual donors, trusts and foundations, Chichester District Council, Arts Council England and the Friends of Pallant House. A £1.5m donation for an endowment fund was secured to contribute to future running costs of the gallery.

Some of your comments:

I have visited this gallery twice and it takes over an hour to drive there but we love it.  The gallery's enthusiasm for 20th Century British art is infectious and a reminder of just how good some of this country’s artists can be.  The present exhibition is showing William Roberts and I had never heard of him but this was most enjoyable and left us wondering why we had never heard of him before.  The core artists that always seem to be there are Sickert, Gertler, Bomberg, Auerbach, Caulfield, Ben Nicholson, Ivor Hitchens and Burra.  There are several more and all demonstrating their own inner coherency faced with the plethora of ‘languages’ that is 20th century art.  All this is housed in the beautiful modern extension that contrasts so well with the original Queen Anne house that is Pallant House.  And the locals are so justly proud of this space.  If you go there just look at the wall opposite the little restaurant.
Jeremy Vevers, Copthorne, West Sussex – 4 March

The new wing has transformed Pallant House into a modern, accessible gallery without losing the pleasure of visiting one of the finest eighteenth century houses in Chichester. As well as the permanent collection of modern art Pallant House Gallery now has excellent facilities for temporary exhibitions as well as areas for workshops for children and all kinds of groups.  The excellent cafe and courtyard linking the old to the new are bonuses for visors.  A most welcome addition to the pleasures of Chichester.
Margaret Burbidge, Bognor Regis – 11 March

I have visited Pallant House Gallery twice since it was re-opened, it is wonderful to see how well the old and the new have been merged, both in Art and in the buildings. The restaurant too deserves a mention for its service and menu selection.  It is so good to have a London-style Gallery locally - it certainly deserves the Gulbenkian Prize for originality and panache!!
Anne Evans, West Sussex – 19 March

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