Art attack: Hauser & Wirth give old farmhouse a new lease of life

Contemporary art galleries are normally found in cities such as London, New York and Zurich. Yet for their latest venture, Hauser & Wirth have left the urban landscape behind and moved to the country.

Built in the 18th century, the Grade II-listed Durslade farmhouse, on the edge of the idyllic village of Bruton in Somerset, has been transformed to host an arts complex. At the heart of the project are the exhibition spaces, including areas inside the farmhouse, outbuildings such as a thrashing barn, and a learning room that can hold 100 people. The six bedrooms in the house also provide accommodation for visitors and artists-in-residence. 

The renovation of the building has been a carefully commissioned work of art in itself with architectural firm Laplace & Co and restoration experts Benjamin & Beauchamp working alongside two former Hauser & Wirth artists. Alongside the exhibition space, each room in the farmhouse has been brought to life with work from one of the gallery’s artists. Guillermo Kuitca has created the mural in the dining room and Pipilotti Rist has produced a video installation. In stark contrast, parts of the farmhouse have been left untouched to highlight its history. 

For more examples of hospitality buildings becoming spaces to exhibit art, and even art mediums, read our Art-spitality microtrend.