Park Hill Arts Space by Carmody Groarke

Plans for Park Hill Art Space in Sheffield by award-winning architects Carmody Groarke, which will transform the heart of the iconic Park Hill Estate, have been granted planning permission by Sheffield City Council.

Architect: Carmody Groarke
Client: S1 Artspace
Location: Sheffield, UK
Year: 2019

From the architect: This national flagship project, led by Sheffield’s S1 Artspace, will provide a world-class destination for arts, culture and heritage and underlines Sheffield’s role as a key player in the Northern Powerhouse. It will be a major economic driver for the city, acting as a catalyst for its visitor economy and a creative industry incubator encouraging inward investment.

Louise Hutchinson, Artistic Director/CEO, S1 Artspace, said: “We are delighted that Sheffield City Council have approved our plans for Park Hill Art Space. Over the past four years based at Park Hill, we’ve worked closely with the local community to deliver a relevant and ambitious programme of exhibitions and events. The opportunity to build on this work by establishing a major new cultural destination for the region will be significant for Sheffield. This project is more than an arts development, it is about recognising the pivotal role of culture in shaping the future of the city.”

Building on Sheffield’s reputation as a city of culture on the world stage, Park Hill Art Space will feature one of the largest contemporary art galleries in the North of England as well as artist studios, workspace for creative businesses, learning and community studios, heritage flats, accommodation for visiting artists, a gallery shop and café. The project will provide public access to the Duke St block of the Grade II* listed Park Hill estate, including access to flats as part of a public heritage offer.

The existing concrete structure of the building will be carefully restored and provide a framework for the repurposed spaces. The new build art gallery will be connected to the base of the residential tower, utilising a former pub as the entrance space located in the public gardens of Park Hill. The gallery building is designed as five interlinked rooms, partially submerged into the sloped landscape and organised around a secure external courtyard. The art gallery will be built from textured brick and concrete, making a material link to the original buildings of Park Hill.

Andy Groarke, Carmody Groarke, said: “Our designs have been continually inspired by our client’s vision for a new visual arts venue which feels creatively progressive but also deeply rooted to its sense-of-place in Sheffield and to Park Hill itself. This marks an important milestone in the delivery of that vision and one which plays a significant role in safeguarding the future of Park Hill.“

The plans also include designs by Jonathan Cook Landscape Architects which will transform the landscape of Park Hill into an urban sculpture park.

S1 Artspace, is a valued and respected gallery and studio organisations based in the North of England. Established in 1995 by artists living and working in Sheffield who wanted to create a different type of studio organisation; one where artists would collaborate, share ideas and create opportunities for themselves. Over its 21-year history, it has provided 160 artists with studios, presented work by over 550 artists and commissioned 80 new works. S1 Artspace is now based at interim premises in the former garage building at Park Hill whilst it delivers Park Hill Art Space.

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