THE GUILDFORD SOCIETY
FOURTH ANNUAL ARCHITECTURE LECTURE
15th JUNE 2010
For the fourth Annual Architecture Lecture, the Guildford Society returned to its home ground. After three previous events concerned with 21st Century architecture and engineering, this year the audience was treated to an intimate view of the design of museum and gallery spaces, focusing on the Watts Gallery restoration project at Compton.
Introduced by Pat Grayburn, Arts Administrator at the University, the invited speaker was Adam Zombory-Moldovan. He is the architect assigned the task of "saving the past to serve the future" of the Watts Gallery, and is a specialist in the field. This annual event is a joint venture of The Society and the University of Surrey, and was held again in the School of Management Lecture Theatre. Society members, Watts Gallery supporters and interested members of the University and the public heard about the project to breathe new life into a local treasure.
Illustrated by examples of galleries all over Europe, Adam’s talk analysed the way in which domestic-scale spaces are created to enhance the experience of art.
The talk and the subsequent discussion highlighted the dilemma faced by designers of spaces which enable curators to display works of art of all types to their best advantage, and to create the best opportunities for the viewing public.
There were also interesting insights into conservation and building restoration. The building was designed and erected within G F Watts' lifetime specifically to display his work; but now over 100 years later the building has decayed. Original wall coverings from 1904 are being uncovered, and trials of different types of natural lighting are a preoccupation of the Watts Gallery team. A paramount principle is to retain the atmosphere and memory of the original building. The new project is therefore a judicious combination of restoration, conservation and change, and we all look forward to seeing the finished product.
The chairman of the Guildford Society, Michael Jeffery, thanked the speaker and many from the audience repaired to the Lakeside Restaurant for supper.
Those present who were not already Friends of Watts Gallery were encouraged to enrol and help raise the last part of the cost of the project.
The Lewis Elton Gallery in the University mounted an exhibition in July on a theme related to the lecture: the Compton Cemetery Chapel.
( Note: Some shortcomings were noted with the supper, and these are being taken up with the management of the Lakeside Restaurant.)
From the top of the staircase: Chairman Michael Jeffery, Pat Grayburn, University Arts Administrator. The two lecturers Adam Zombory-Moldovan and Lucy Clark, of ZMMA (Zombory Moldovan Moore Architects).
Photo: Doug Scott
Aug 2010