In the heart of Sudbury, a quiet revolution in art and architecture has taken place. Gainsborough’s House – the birthplace and childhood home of the great British painter Thomas Gainsborough - has undergone a remarkable transformation. This ambitious £10 million project has not only restored and reconfigured the historic Grade I listed townhouse, but also added a striking new building, cementing the site as an international centre dedicated to Gainsborough’s life, work and enduring legacy.
A World-Class Centre for a Suffolk Master
Backed by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the reimagined museum now boasts the most extensive display of Gainsborough’s works anywhere in the world. But this isn’t simply a celebration of one artist - it’s a deep dive into the rich artistic heritage of Suffolk itself. Visitors can explore how the region’s rolling landscapes influenced not only Gainsborough but also fellow luminaries like John Constable and later figures such as Cedric Morris.
Blending Old and New: The Architectural Vision
At the heart of the project is a brand-new, purpose-built gallery that replaces a 1930s labour exchange. Sitting on a semi-industrial site between a large silk weaving factory and the smaller-scale buildings of Weavers Lane, the new structure cleverly blends past and present. It’s crafted from locally made materials; handmade bricks, rough knapped flintwork, weathered Corten steel and a copper roof, forming a harmonious connection to both the town and the surrounding countryside.
Elevated Views and Immersive Spaces
Rising to three storeys, the new building is crowned by the Landscape Studio, a space designed to lift visitors above the rooftops of Sudbury and offer sweeping views of the very landscapes that once inspired Gainsborough himself. The building’s dynamic zig-zag roof not only adds architectural drama but also allows natural light to flood the sky-lit temporary exhibitions gallery on the ground floor.
Materials that Tell a Story
The design ethos behind this transformation was rooted in a respect for material honesty and longevity. The architects deliberately selected self-finished, through-colour materials that age gracefully and require minimal upkeep, a nod to both sustainability and timelessness.
Inspired by Sudbury’s unique identity and its silk-weaving legacy, the team delved into the textures and tones of the local townscape. Discovering a nearby brickyard that still produces handmade bricks using clay from its own land was a turning point. The team designed a distinctive brick pattern that appears woven across the building’s façade, an architectural tribute to the town’s textile history.
A Façade with Rhythm and Character
The new building’s public-facing elevation on Weavers Lane is a visual treat. It gently inflects, giving rhythm and scale to the street, while deep textures of patterned brickwork catch the changing light. At pavement level, the building steps back to widen the approach, creating a colonnade where Corten steel ribs divide rough flint walls. The museum’s new entrance, a shimmering combination of bronze and glass, welcomes visitors with quiet grandeur.
Craft, Community and Detail
Every detail has been carefully considered. Gunmetal window sills and entrance thresholds, pre-rusted cast-iron floor grilles, and even a precast black concrete staircase; all were chosen for their material integrity, rich colouring, and the way they age beautifully over time. Many of these elements, like the handmade bricks themselves, are cast in moulds, continuing the motif of craft and tactile making throughout.
In the museum gardens, a newly built Crinkle Crankle wall, a historic local feature, snakes its way through the greenery. Made from the same local bricks, this sculptural wall includes hand-carved pieces produced from a prisoner engagement programme, adding a powerful layer of community engagement and storytelling to the project.
A New Chapter for Gainsborough’s House
The transformation of Gainsborough’s House is more than a museum renovation - it’s a cultural renaissance for Sudbury. This beautifully crafted campus invites visitors from near and far to immerse themselves in Suffolk’s artistic heritage, to see the landscape through Gainsborough’s eyes, and to experience how thoughtful design can breathe new life into history.
Brick Bulletin | Feature 250
