Architect Jamie Fobert in conversation with Nicholas Cullinan

Join Dr Nicholas Cullinan, Director of the National Portrait Gallery, as he speaks with Jamie Fobert, the architect behind the Gallery's transformation. Together they discuss the redisplay of the Gallery’s Collection, along with the redevelopment of the historical building and how this has enhanced its beauty, created more public space, and uncovered original architectural details.

Nicholas Cullinan took up his position as the Director of the National Portrait Gallery in spring 2015 following his role as Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Prior to this, from 2007 to 2013, Nicholas was Curator of International Modern Art at Tate Modern where he co-curated an exhibition of Henri Matisse's cut-outs with Sir Nicholas Serota in 2014. Nicholas received his BA, MA and PhD in art history from the Courtauld Institute of Art in London and in 2006–7 he held the Hilla Rebay International Fellowship at the Guggenheim museums in Bilbao, New York and Venice.

Jamie Fobert is a London-based architect and designer. He was the lead architect for the National Portrait Gallery’s major redevelopment, Inspiring People. Born in Canada, he arrived in London in 1988 and worked for David Chipperfield Architects for several years before establishing Jamie Fobert Architects in 1996. Since then, Jamie and his team have consistently produced innovative and inspiring architecture in projects ranging from individual houses to high quality retail and significant public buildings for the arts. Completed projects include major extensions to Kettle’s Yard in Cambridge and Tate St Ives in Cornwall, which in 2018 won the Art Fund Museum of the Year and was shortlisted for the RIBA Stirling Prize. Current projects include the redevelopment of the Royal Observatory in Greenwich. Jamie was appointed CBE in the Queen’s New Year Honours 2020.

About this event:
This event will take place at the National Portrait Gallery and will also be livestreamed to watch online. Select 'Book now' to buy tickets either to attend in person or to watch the livestream online. 

One online ticket enables you to watch the livestream on a single device. Once you have purchased a ticket, further details of how to watch will be sent via email ahead of the event. The online event will require you to have access to a device with internet connectivity to watch.

Please visit our livestream FAQs

Ticket bookings closed at 17.00 on 30 June.