Building
Yorkshire Sculpture Park Underground Gallery

Address
Yorkshire Sculpture Park, West Bretton, Wakefield, WF4 4LG.

What it is
The Underground Gallery is one of the largest purpose-built galleries to have been constructed in Britain for a number of years with over 600 square metres of space and three large galleries.

Opening date
December 2004

Architect
Feilden Clegg Bradley Architects

Building contractor or engineer
Quarmby Construction Ltd

Occupants or owners
Yorkshire Sculpture Park

Who paid for the building
YSP (funded through Arts Council and Wakefield MDC and private benefactors amongst others), European Regional Development Fund, Yorkshire Forward.

How much did it cost
£2.75 million

Energy fact
The Gallery’s environmental strategy is based on the principles of passive control: maintaining a stable temperature without the need for air conditioning.

Sustainability fact
Wherever possible sustainable materials and methods have been used and incorporates a green roof.

Materials fact
Three light-filled gallery spaces have been simply defined by concrete, glass, Yorkshire sandstone and steel.

Design fact
Extending the design of the Visitor Centre, the gallery follows the line of the 18th century formal terrace. The project shows how a contemporary building can successfully work within a historic setting.

Function fact
Its opening marked the end of a £13 million capital project which included a new Visitor Centre which opened in 2002 also designed by Feilden Clegg Bradley. The Centre includes a 140 seat restaurant, auditorium, craft shop, gallery and information facilities.

Location fact
A priority was to ensure that this new building would be a sensitive intervention in the historic landscape. The solution reached was to tuck the Gallery under the sloping lawn of the 18th century Bothy Garden, a much-loved part of the Sculpture Park, with extensive views over the Bretton Estate.

Quotes
"As an Art teacher who has brought groups of GCSE students to the YSP for the past 25 years, the Underground Gallery is an excellent addition to what was already an outstanding venue for introducing students to the world of sculpture." Mike Maddocks Mexborough, South Yorks - 3 May

Awards
RIBA White Rose Awards - 2005
RIBA National Award 2006
Civic Trust Award 2006
Gulbenkian Prize for Museums and Galleries 2006 Finalist

Did you know?
In 2005 more than 100,000 people passed through the Gallery.
The roof of the Gallery is covered with turf and is regularly cut by a robot mowing machine!

What else to see
Yorkshire Sculpture Park (YSP) is an outdoor, international centre for modern and contemporary sculpture that sets out to challenge, inspire, inform and delight. The stunning landscape was designed over 200 years ago as a private pleasure ground. Much thought was given to the planting of thousands of imported exotic trees, to the modelling of hills and valleys and the use of water and architectural features. Today, YSP’s 500 acres of historic parkland and gardens provide a rich environment for the best examples of modern and contemporary sculpture by international artists.

Grid reference
SE282130

www
www.ysp.co.uk