The Roden Centre for Creative Learning opens to the public

Built in 1975 and last refurbished in 2010, an overhaul of the National Gallery’s learning centre is the first in a suite of capital building projects commissioned as part of the gallery’s NG200 Bicentenary celebrations. The existing, classroom-like space suffered from a lack of natural light in addition to poor acoustics and suboptimal environmental conditions. Although a large space, less than 50% of the learning centre’s 900sqm footprint was used for learning, with large corridors, lobbies, and cloakrooms taking up most of the space. 

Lawson Ward Studio, supported by the National Gallery’s learning team, engaged with children, young people, and adults as part of the design process, resulting in a vivid and inspiring place for people of all ages to engage and connect with the National Gallery’s world-renowned collection. Local schoolchildren helped Lawson Ward Studio envision what the transformed spaces could offer. Workshops with the children inspired the team to create a series of ‘Fragment Houses’ - quiet, calm, nook-style spaces, related to paintings in the collection, for children to read, draw, or play in. 

The previously cellular rooms have been revitalised into a series of open spaces spread across three floors. The Welcome Space invites children and families into the Learning Centre, while the new, double-height Clore Art Studio encourages learners of all ages to explore the collection through their own creativity. A bespoke Social Space – a flexible, attractive environment on the upper floor – will accommodate events from school lunches and family activities through to evening events including the gallery’s Friday Lates. Adjacent to the Social Space is the Creative Space, designed with accessibility in mind: this area will enable sensory learning, with a particular focus on special needs schools.  

Accessibility was at the heart of the project: Lawson Ward Studio and the National Gallery learning team have worked together to craft a truly open, welcoming, inclusive, and accessible learning centre for all.  

The Roden Centre for Creative Learning has removed physical barriers to the space and whilst providing a route into the Gallery for those who might perceive it is not ‘for them.’ Visitors of all ages and backgrounds will experience dynamic learning spaces providing a world class environment for creative learning, equipped with state-of-the-art technology. 

Formerly sharing a building with the Royal Academy of Arts, the National Gallery has been a centre for education within the arts since its inception, with the new learning centre poised to reaffirm this commitment. As Executive Architect for the project, Purcell lent their heritage expertise to the project, working with Lawson Ward Studio to bring the project to life, providing advice during Phase 1. 

Purcell is working on all three of the NG200 capital projects. As well as bringing three decades of experience of working with the National Gallery to each of these, Purcell is collaborating closely with the Gallery, different design teams, and external stakeholders to ensure consistency across the works. The heritage specialists have also been able to offer a joined-up approach to the heritage design context, while managing a complex site with varied building typologies.