21st Century Architecture: GALLERIES with Peter St John (Caruso St John) and Oliver Ulmer (David Chipperfield)
21st Century Architecture: GALLERIES with Peter St John (Caruso St John) and Oliver Ulmer (David Chipperfield)
Thursday 26 November 2026 at 6:30pm—7:45pm
(doors open at 6pm for a 6.30pm sharp start)
The Gallery, 70 Cowcross Street, London, EC1M 6EJ
(follow the staircase in the far corner of the courtyard)
Learn more about some of the best 21st-century architecture from the people who made it happen. We’ve paired leading architects and academics for themed lectures where they will present their work, before sitting down to discuss their individual approaches to similar projects.
A lucky few British cities were blessed with the arrival of brand new art galleries – bringing first class architecture and boosting the local economy. We’ll hear from two architects who delivered a bunch of them.
Peter St John, co-founder of Caruso St John, will present the sublime Nottingham Contemporary (2009), the winner of EU Mies van der Rohe Award. Peter will also talk about New Art Gallery Walsall (2000), the Stirling Prize finalist.
Oliver Ulmer, Director at David Chipperfield, will talk about the fantastic Turner Contemporary (2011) in Margate and the brilliant Hepworth Wakefield (2011) in West Yorkshire – both galleries won RIBA National Awards.
Peter St John oversees the two offices of Caruso St John in London and Zurich together with Adam Caruso. He leads projects of all scales – from large urban developments and cultural projects, to intricate interventions in complex historic settings. Peter has taught architecture throughout his career and is a Professor of Architecture at London Metropolitan University. He has previously been a Visiting Professor at the Academy of Architecture in Mendrisio, the Graduate School of Design at Harvard University, ETH Zurich, and the University of Bath.
Oliver Ulmer joined David Chipperfield Architects in 1998 and has almost 30 years of professional experience working on a wide range of projects in the United Kingdom and Europe. Oliver has led numerous projects for the practice, including One Kensington Gardens, One Pancras Square and The Hepworth Wakefield art gallery.
The series coincides with the new C20 book 100 21st Century Buildings (2026, Batsfords).
To book an online ticket for this lecture, click here.
C20 Society Member £11;
Non-Member £16;
Young C20 member + guest Free*;
Student + guest £5 **
Buy the whole lecture series and save.
The ticket price includes a glass of wine and a contribution to our casework and campaigns.
*For Young C20 members, please email lukas@c20society.org.uk to secure a place.
**For student pricing please select from the dropdown option next to ‘membership number’ on the booking form below.
Click here for our latest cancellation policy.
Note: This event is hybrid and is being run both in-person at Cowcross Street Gallery and online via Zoom. The event will be recorded and offered as a catch-up lecture for those who have booked and will be available for two weeks.
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The Twentieth Century Society is an IHBC (Institute of Historic Building conservation) recognised CPD provider and is a registered charity, no 1110244
Image above: Nottingham Contemporary (2009) by Caruso St John. The Hepworth Wakefield in West Yorkshire (2011) by David Chipperfield Architects. Photos courtesy of the architects.