Gallery and restaurant

Gallery and Restaurant design

This project required us to choose from a list of existing structures spread all over Port Elizabeth and incorporate into the design either a gallery and restaurant or alternatively a small scale hotel and restaurant. I chose to create a gallery, also in the city centre that would create a place for new and upcoming artists to show case their work for the public to see. We also had to take a famous chef and incorporate their beliefs, values and attributes into the design. The person that I chose was Marie Vogelsang. The artist i chose goes by the name of Robin Rhode, who is well known for his street art. He basically inverts the idea of graffiti by cleaning surfaces on the streets, and using what he has at his disposal. He also uses body within his artwork.

The building- brief history

Having been established since 1862, Fischer’s Jewellers is one of the oldest entrenched jewellers in South Africa. (www.nmbt.co.za,2011) The style of the building is Georgian, during the time of 1800’s in Port Elizabeth, which is derived from Great Britain.
Georgian style is one of the various styles in the architecture, interior design, and decorative arts of Britain. This occurred during the rule of the first four members of the house of Hanover, between the accession of George I in 1714 and the death of George IV in 1830. There was such diversity and fluctuation in artistic style during this period that it is perhaps more accurate to speak of “Georgian styles.” (georgian style,2011)The Georgian era is particularly regarded as the marking summit of house design in Britain. Its legacy can be seen in the entire city square of uniform, symmetrical townhouses in London, their facades employing classical pilasters, pediment doors and windows, and graceful moldings. (georgian style)  The interiors of these buildings have harmonious proportions, quiet colours, Roman-derived stucco ornamentation. (georgian style,2011)  The building has since undergone rennovations on the exterior, just like the rest of the central area, which has undergone major upliftment. The colour has been kept very sinple, just as if it were built and painted in 1862.
Internal characteristics include, solid timber finishes on wall cladding and on floors as well as the major moulding details within the interior. At the moment the old jewellery stand fittings are still present within the space and can be removed. However it would be ideal to re-use some of the existing elements within the space. Elements such as the existing doors from the office space on the 3^rd and 4^th floors, as well as cornices and skirting’s will be re-used within the new space. It is required to take the old and bind it in with the new.Georgian style was also influenced  by Dutch architecture and the Palladian movement, the long-time popular Georgian style was constructed with a variety of regional differences but characterized by its square or rectangular symmetrical structure and aligned windows, which is very evident within the building.  (living spaces,2008)Multi-paned double-hung windows with thick muntins were aligned horizontally and vertically with five second floor windows positioned directly above the first story windows with the centre window placed above the front door. The upper story windows were set very close to the cornice or roof.Roofs were gabled, gambrel or hipped. Usually found in Pennsylvania, the "pent" roof was built, hung from the front exterior wall without supporting posts sometimes extending across the front facade. Cornices with decorative moldings along the roof line were usually accented with dentil molding.A panelled front door was most often centered, accented by decorative pilasters and crowned with a pedimented entablature. A transom light could be found either above the door or within the top of the door. In later years, sidelights and elliptical fanlights were added to enhance the front entry.

 

Marie Vogelszang

Robin Rhode