The Gilbert & George Centre, Spitalfields

2025 RIBA London Award  

The Gilbert & George Centre, Tower Hamlets, London
SIRS Architects for The Gilbert & George Centre
Contract value: Confidential
GIA: 602m²

Tucked away in a narrow yard off Brick Lane, the Gilbert & George Centre is an ingenious adaptive reuse of an 1820s brewery on a restricted site. The logistical challenges and space limitations would have defeated many teams. In committing to this site and meeting these challenges head-on, artist duo Gilbert & George, who have lived in Spitalfields since the 1960s, have proven their determination to further extend their roots in the neighbourhood. Working closely with SIRS Architects, also based in Spitalfields, they have created something highly specific to them and their work.

The project involved reaching planning agreements over 37 party walls, rerouting a sewer and lowering the level of the courtyard to improve access. To provide the floor area required by the brief, an entirely new basement was created below the existing building, extending into the space alongside it, and another storey above that.

The deft concealing of so much of the centre’s space means that very little of it is read from the street. Rather, the centre is modestly announced by handmade gates in green wrought iron, designed by the artists themselves and depicting their initials. Through these, a long view is offered into the charming and intimate courtyard, which could easily be mistaken for a private space.

Here, the controlled collage of old and new – brick, cobble and bronze window frames, and some carefully tended planting – is entirely harmonious. A cantilevered canopy to the film room shelters a bench, and hardwood doors provide both the means to move large works in and out, and a fire escape. The entrance space, which has the versatility to be choreographed as shop, function space or learning space, echoes the warm yellow of the brick and feels almost domestic in scale. Oak joinery is beautifully detailed. The material palette is considered and restrained: wide-board oak flooring, bronze handrails to the accommodation stair and Portland stone lining the walls in the WC.

The centre’s newly created volumes provide three impressive galleries for Gilbert & George’s work to be displayed in optimal conditions. Highly controlled environments and discreet servicing ensure no visual interruptions to the curation. The gallery in the refurbished building showcases the roof structure and brick walls, whereas the two new volumes are minimal white boxes. Natural light is excluded from all the galleries, and the lighting is programmable to allow different simulations to suit digital installations or 2D works.

Sometimes creativity is stimulated by site challenges, and that is certainly what has happened here. In defying multiple obstacles to create something unique and personal, the Gilbert & George Centre is exquisite. All is understated, whatever could be concealed is concealed, and it is clear both outside and in that this is a building where everything has been meticulously considered and designed.

See the rest of the 2025 RIBA London winners here. And all our RIBA UK Award winners here.

View the full RIBA UK Awards 2025 process.

 

RIBA Regional Awards 2025 sponsored by Autodesk, EH Smith, Equitone and Velux