Kettle’s Yard: A Much-Loved House and Gallery in Cambridge

Jamie Fobert Architects was in charge of adding a series of addition to the much-loved house and gallery called Kettle’s Yard. The property is located on Castle Street, Cambridge and was previously known as the home of Jim Ede. However, over the course of times, Kettle’s Yard is now part of the University of Cambridge.

Kettle’s Yard

The new Kettle’s Yard has an equally new entrance and spacious welcome area that offers a clear access to all different elements of the property.

The different elements include its 1970 extension, the new galleries, and the original House which is a place to display contemporary art as well as historic and natural objects organized within a modest domestic interior. It also comes with the new education wing and the new shop and café.

New Gallery Spaces

The two spacious new gallery spaces are used to exhibit very large works which is something that the old Kettle’s Yard could not provide.

In the exhibition area, there is an additional small display space with a window gallery that faces the busy Castle Street, allowing the people outside to take a look at whatever it is on display.

The Education Wing

The new education wing is fully accessible and expands by almost 200%. It uses a generous, double-height Clore Learning Studio at basement level. A new archive room and a project space is located on the upper floor and can be accessed by everyone.

The education wing faces the frontage on Castle Street, making the important aspect of Kettle’s Yard visible to anyone.

The Spatial Sequence

It seems like the entire spatial sequence is intended, from the original house through the outstanding 1970s extension into the new wing.

Meanwhile, the original house uses reclaimed artisanal cottages acquired in 1956 by founder Jim Ede. As for the extension, it was established by Leslie Martin and David Owers.

The firm was able to achieve continuity by considering the sensitivity to the domestic scale and calm aesthetic of the house, the repetition of the brickwork, and simple volumes of rough plaster of the existing galleries.

Via Jamie Fobert Architects