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:
Pallant House Gallery is a delight - the old 18th century building and the new extension. The Regency rooms in the first and the light and bright display area in the second provide contrasting backgrounds for the gallery's large collection of art particularly modern art. It lifts the heart to go in there and it is clear that many of its visitors already come again and again. It has close artistic links with the nearby cathedral which also has work by Piper and Sutherland. Since opening the gallery has not only shown its own collection but has had three special exhibitions. It does a great deal of outreach work and holds lectures and tours of the collection. It is already providing a vibrant centre for the arts in West Sussex.
Joan Bennell, Chichester – 22 April
I've been lucky enough to run a community arts project in partnership with Pallant House for the last two years. The event, based at Littlehampton Community School, taught able and gifted students about business and enterprise skills. It brought together living artists and museums: business people and school children. Pallant House's support was invaluable, and I wish them the best of luck in winning the prize!
Dan Thompson, Revolutionary Arts Group, Worthing – 25 April
t is the best provincial art gallery that I have ever visited. It is a very clever marriage of a beautiful Queen Anne building with a modern extension. As a gallery it works extremely well and the facilities provided for both display and education are exceptional. The staff are always most welcoming and it is a delight to be able to pop in when one is passing because the displays are always changing, which makes it a most exciting experience. It is lovely to see lots of families bringing in quite young children as well as older people. I think it the best thing that has happened to Chichester in a long time.
Rodney Funnell, Chichester – 25 April
live in Chichester and our newly re-opened Pallant House Gallery is the best thing that has happened to the city since the cathedral was built nine hundred years ago! The original Queen Anne house is beautiful; the new wing, which so skilfully fuses onto it, is stunning and the enlarged collection outstanding. The outreach programme is really effective too. The staff and volunteers give a friendly welcome. There is a vibrant, exciting, life-enhancing atmosphere. Pallant House Gallery deserves to win the Gulbenkian Prize.
Margaret Brown, Chichester – 2 May
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