National Portrait Gallery visitors are "not there to look at the architecture"

This video spotlights the overhaul of the National Portrait Gallery by Jamie Fobert Architects and Purcell, which is one of six projects shortlisted for this year's RIBA Stirling Prize.

The renovation of the Grade I-listed National Portrait Gallery is one of four London projects on this year's shortlist, which is the focus of a short-film series currently being published by Dezeen in collaboration with the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).

Jamie Fobert Architects and heritage expert Purcell renovated the internal spaces of the 19th-century building just off Trafalgar Square to improve accessibility and useability.

The studios looked to the original vision of architect Ewan Christian for its renovation.

"I was much more interested in the language of architecture that mediated, between what the original architect's intent was and how that had altered over time and the idea that I am not interested in it being clearly defined as my work," said Jamie Fobert Architects founder Jamie Fobert in the video.

According to Fobert, the main intervention was to rethink the entrance sequence.

"I prioritised the visitor's experience and how things function," he explained.

"You are there to look at the paintings and sculpture and to learn about Britain, you are not there to look at the architecture," Fobert continued. "Creating a new north-south entrance sequence was probably the most important move, which included a new public space."

Jamie Fobert Architects was also shortlisted for the Stirling Prize in 2018, following his completion of the Tate St Ives extension.

The National Portrait Gallery is the third of the shortlisted projects we have featured this week, following videos of Chowdry Walk social housing in London by Al-Jawad Pike and the Elizabeth Line infrastructure by studios Grimshaw, Maynard, Equation and Atkins.

Over the coming days we will feature the other projects on the Stirling Prize shortlist – Phase 2 of the Park Hill estate regeneration in Sheffield by Mikhail Riches, the Wraxall Yard holiday accommodation in Dorset by Clementine Blakemore Architects, the overhaul of the National Portrait Gallery by Jamie Fobert Architects with Purcell and the King's Cross Masterplan by Allies and Morrison and Porphyrios Associates.

The film was produced by the RIBA.

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