Twisting Perceptions – James Makin Gallery by Tristan Wong

The aesthetic of the white cube gallery is an enduring one. Since its rise in the early 20th century, it has been the status quo for the display of art. The question of how to deal with the prevailing condition of the white cube is an ongoing challenge for contemporary designers, curators and gallerists. Refreshingly, the James Makin Gallery in Collingwood by Tristan Wong presents a move away from the expected, instead offering a surprising take on what a gallery could be today. Tristan’s design is bold yet refined, playful yet controlled.

As you enter the building, a 4.5-metre-high bent wall on your right cuts through the existing warehouse interior and defines a series of key spaces. The wall, clad in black-stained timber, guides the visitor through the entry and reception area into the subsequent spaces, which include the gallery, a viewing room and the bathrooms. The timber itself has been beautifully treated, with the grain of the wood evident through the dark stain. In addition to the striking materiality, the gallery also challenges expectations in its organisation; the viewing room is set up more like a living room with a bookshelf and alcoves for art. Providing a domestic sense of comfort, the architecture of the James Makin Gallery invites visitors to take their time.

Providing a domestic sense of comfort, the architecture of the James Makin Gallery invites visitors to take their time.

While there is a clear intention for the gallery to look contemporary, there is also dialogue with the building’s past. With the design, Tristan has referenced and highlighted elements of the existing warehouse. This is most evident in the case of the corrugated strip Laserlite roofing of the old warehouse. It has been re-lined with opaque acrylic, providing a softened glow throughout the interior. With dark panels between them, these ribbons of natural light give emphasis to the existing triangular roofline and add a sense of dynamism to the interior.

While there is a clear intention for the gallery to look contemporary, there is also dialogue with the building’s past.

In the design of James Makin Gallery, there’s interest at every level, from the detail of the timber-clad walls to the organisation and the response to the context. Tristan has challenged our ingrained views of what a gallery can look and feel like, ultimately creating an exciting home for contemporary art.