The Gilbert and George Centre

by SIRS Architects

Client The Gilbert and George Centre

Award RIBA London Award 2025

The award winner tells us: "SIRS Architects have converted a former brewery building in London’s East End into Gilbert and George’s art foundation, breathing new life into the historic fabric of the area and seeking to immerse visitors in the unique realm of the artist duo through a sequence of spaces and architectural details.

The brief required an approach to carve sufficient space for the centre’s transformation on a highly restricted and challenging site. A basement level was constructed under the existing building’s footprint, and a new above ground side extension was added.

Providing a permanent home for an artistic legacy - and a built representation of the artists’ ‘Art for All’ ethos - the centre is a ‘gift to London’. It is committed to free access for all members of society and aim to become a leading cultural institution for research and scholarship and foster public art education for community and education groups."

The jury says: "The logistical challenges and space limitations would have defeated many teams. In committing to this site and meeting these challenges head-on, artist duo Gilbert & George – who have lived in Spitalfields since the 1960s – have proven their determination to further extend their roots in the neighbourhood and create something highly specific to them and their work. Working closely with SIRS Architects, also based in Spitalfields, the project involved reaching planning agreements over 37 party walls, rerouting a sewer and lowering the level of the courtyard to improve access."

Read the full citation from the RIBA Awards Jury on RIBA Journal

Contractor Westgreen Construction

Structural engineer Sweco

Environmental/M&E engineer Bob Costello Associates

Quantity surveyor/Cost consultant RSQS

Lighting design Arup

Contract administrator CHPK

Approved building inspector Assent Building Control

CDM advisor AGA

Fire engineer The Fire Surgery

Partywall consultant Osprey Building Consulting

Transport consultant Caneparo

Structural monitoring SES

Gross internal area 602m²