Eskenazi Art Gallery

Eskenazi in Clifford Street links the two main arteries of the London gallery world – those of Bond street and Cork street. The original building was in a general state of disrepair with bowing walls, defective brickwork, uneven floors and a rabbit warren floorplan.

The scheme involved complete demolition of the interior and construction of the new gallery behind the existing Flemish Renaissance facade. The ground and first floors comprise the gallery space and the upper three floors house the offices, boardroom and library. Although seperate, these areas are visually linked by a central glass aperture in the ceiling of the upper gallery which hints at a spectacular atrium, suffusing the interior of the building with natural light. The main gallery stair provides a splendid focal point, ascending dramatically through a series of stepped monolithic wall panels which also serve as an effective backdrop for works of art.

Flexibility in the gallery areas is of paramount importance and there are specially designed freestanding showcases to allow varying arrangements, while two rooms are equipped with sliding screens for private viewing. Simple materials have been used throughout: oak and French limestone floors, sycamore and plain paint wall finishes.

Eskenazi has been published in numerous journals and was described by Habitat Ufficio as representing “…the very highest standards in contemporary gallery design.”