Gallery and Studio Space

A proposal to inspire a community of creatives in Usk. Providing space for local people to explore the arts - both as a hobby and therapeutically - as well as inviting new people in the form of artists in residency, to encourage diversity and new ideas. The scheme will house studios and galleries for contemporary art, in the forms of 2D art, 3D sculpture, and digital media. It will also contain a centre for art therapy for use by the community, to improve residents’ wellbeing.

The project consists of two existing buildings - the old market hall, currently used as the Royal British Legion, and the long closed down Royal Hotel. I retrofitted these, adding some additional volumes, and explored adding a sculptural art installation to the exterior. The old market hall will be regenerated into the gallery space, with the addition of two reflection rooms, an overlooking room, and a light well staircase. The galleries will be flexible, with a meandering circulation, encouraging childlike exploration and playfulness, without a strict path to follow.

The reflection rooms are jewel-like spaces that jut out from the main building - projecting the theme of well-being and mental health into the community. They have no windows on the walls to allow them to be private and introspective, letting light in through the roof, where small holes are punched out of metal sheets in a pattern inspired by the historic craft of Japanning in Usk. These rooms are continued in the art therapy studios in form and atmosphere. The outdoor space here is an extraverted, energetic public plaza, containing seating for the cafe. The old Royal Hotel will be transformed into studio spaces, with the bottom two floors used as digital media and 2D art making spaces, with easels, desks, and areas on the walls and floors for large paintings. The top floor is a studio for the artist in residence, which would be flexible, and visible from the overlooking room in the gallery. This encourages a connection between the artists and the community. There is also a double height 3D sculpture studio. The outdoor space here is a calming and introverted sensory garden, contrasting the public plaza.