Reply To: National Gallery Extension

I have just seen it. It looks magnificent on the inside. It is a real surprise to see just how much space there is in the atrium. The space flows very nicely from the entrance to the main staircase, which is very generous in size. The strange geometry of the windows and alcoves is very odd, but not unpleasant. Some of these spaces are functional [for housing brochures, leaflets or as passageways] others seem entirely decorative.

Immediate highlights for me of the building were
1 – The dramatic contrast in apparent scale between the entrance and the inside – it is quite disorienting and surprising to see how big it is inside compared to its appearance from outside on Clare street.
2 – The diagonal walkway near the ceiling. What agreat idea to paint it red !
3 – The staircase – I dunno, I just like it.