I read in this week's Building Design (BD) that David Chipperfield, the Architect on the new Hepworth Gallery, has been awarded the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Gold Medal for 2011.

He has been regarded as some what of an outsider within British Architecture, and many of his more notable projects have been abroad, but the Hepworth and Turner Contemporary in Margate have led him to be invited to sit at the 'top-table' of UK Architects!

It seems RIBA like his work, even if many in Wakefield are yet to be convinced... however, already having had a sneaky look around inside the Hepworth, it is a great internal space.

It may be great internal space but it looks a real eyesore from the outside. Not a very good first impression on the way in to Wakefield it doesn't look much better than Howarth Timber over the road.

Not had a chance to look round the gallery but am looking forward to it opening in May.It's good that WMDC are doing somethinf for Culture in the City but it is a disgrace that they don't put the same effort into Sport!

I hate this ever so cool nouveau habit of calling a room or building a 'space'; it's a poncey affectation that has crept into general parlance thanks to that effete tw@ from Grand Designs and other vacuous property programmes.

Space my ar5e!

It's a bloody carbuncle.

Space in this context refers to the Artist's exhibition space to display their work.

From the outside its a grey horrendous building!! Even if its fantastic inside, the outside looks as bad as all the rubbish piled up on the weir on the calder!!!

Would have to agree with you, don't like it at all, then there's Ted's flats on the other side!

Must admit, I don't mind the building itself, I just think it's in the wrong place. That and the flats spoil the Calder weir/Chantry bridge/canal views imo.

There's a few come on here with that, between the lugs!!

Let's hope Newmarket wins some awards when it finally built and to be honest looking at plans it does look like a well designed stadium not just the common flat pack we see so much of nowadays that's why I hope it gets the go ahead.

David Chipperfield has been one of the worlds hightest regarded architects for many years, he even one the sterling prize a few years back... His theory behind is work is great and anyone with any real knowledge of architecture will appreciate his work. Having said that he is the one who formally trained David Adadje ( the architect behind wakefield market).

Recently bought a book on his works and it cost me over 300 pounds... he has become quite sort after and we should be proud to have a piece of architecture that is getting worldwide respect.

Looks like it needs a good lick of paint to me.

It's a disgrace the amount of money Wakefield Council have put into that place when you see the pathetic state of sporting facilities in the City

Not really. The Hepworth will hopefully bring in visitors to the city and the surrounding district, giving the area a boost.

Back to the building, I guess the design has achieved exactly what the architect wanted, it's got people talking about it.