Stanley Spencer Gallery, Berkshire

The restoration of a methodist chapel into a gallery dedicated to the works and memorabilia of eminent artist Stanley Spencer.

Stanley Spencer was a renowned 20th century artist who was born in Cookham and worshipped in the village chapel. Over three decades the chapel suffered from lack of maintenance and the Trustees of the Stanley Spencer Gallery had concerns about the conservation of the collection.

Clarkson Alliance were appointed to provide project and cost management services on the restoration project, working alongside the voluntary Stanley Spencer Gallery team to deliver a transformed building housing his paintings, drawings, artefacts, a collections management system and a retail area.

Nearly £1 million was secured – in partnership with the Heritage Lottery Fund – to restore the gallery and provide a building which could deliver the required environmental standards, security arrangements and accessibility to develop a sustainable business.

An elegant mezzanine area was introduced, providing increased display space, an education area and also a specialist storage system which efficiently accommodates the entire collection when not being displayed.