David Adjaye Unveils His First Visual Arts Building

published Oct 4, 2007
David Adjaye Unveils His First Visual Arts Building
Architect David Adjaye has unveiled his first visual arts building.

Rivington Place, which will open its doors to the public tomorrow, is also the first public gallery in London since the Hayward Gallery opened in 1968.

The volume of the building has similar proportions to the warehouse that previously occupied the space.

The unusual lattice pattern was influenced by Sowei masks of Sierra Leone.

The shape affects the internal space by creating windows that are positioned at different heights.

In larger spaces the windows create an ambiguous sense of scale as their position and size contradict the effects of perspective.

The building houses two visual arts organisations Iniva and Autograph ABP.

The gallery is also the country's first to be dedicated to showcasing work from differing cultural perspectives.