The Whitworth is located near the centre of Manchester, between the university and Hulme and Moss Side, places previously held up from Friedrich Engels onwards as examples of deprivation.
A recent article in The Observer explains how part of the ambition of the makeover was to make the Whitworth genuinely accessible to audiences who might not readily enter museums, with the help of the additional entrance and the greater transparency, which means you can see right into galleries from outside.
The clever but subtle redesign by MUMA (McInnes Usher McKnight Architects) tears up the red tape and lets the light, and surrounding park, flood in.
Bespoke Whitworth Blend created by Northcot
As a significant contribution to the renovation, Northcot created the bespoke Whitworth Blend, which reflects the original dark red bricks of the Edwardian building.
Approximately 90,000 smooth machine made bricks make up the solid elements of the expansive north wing and lower ground floor.
The intricate brickwork pattern draws inspiration from the gallerys extensive textile collection, in particular the slash and stich work, which is made from handmade matching specials.
