Fotografiska

Fotografiska is the largest photography museum in the world and is one of Stockholm’s most popular attractions, entertaining over 500, 000 visitors annually. They celebrate photography, but beyond being a simple museum they offer inclusive spaces for conversation and community, creating a common ground that invites everyone in, where guests can listen to lectures, stay for dinner, or meet friends. Famous exhibitors include David LaChapelle and Annie Leibovitz.

Fotografiska’s goal of becoming a world leader in exhibiting relevant contemporary photography was the catalyst behind securing space in the heart of London’s vibrant cultural community in Whitechapel. The White Chapel building was to be the home for Fotografiska’s London Photography Museum offering seven Exhibition spaces, Fotografiska Academy, Conference, Event and Screening Room as well as Fotografiska Shop, a Café/Bar, two Restaurants and a Membership Bar. The building itself presented many challenges with the change of use of the existing basement spaces and incorporation of a new external pavilion structure, with the added acoustic issues of being in very close proximity to tube line running beneath. Two highly innovative square spiral staircases to transverse between the entrance and gallery spaces would be key architectural features of the space.

work.place.create. were appointed to work in partnership with a wider project team of specialist consultants, including the Swedish Architects who were behind the design of the client’s existing museum in Stockholm. We were able to provide a much needed local representation, with knowledge on British Building Regulations, Local Authority Planning Applications and the London commercial market as well as design responsibility and site presence throughout the construction period.