At its heart is a huge, subterranean exhibition volume (18.5W x 26L x 12H metres) with a capacity of up to 380 people in promenade. State of the art sound and projection systems enable artists to transform the space, which is approached gradually via linear acclimatisation zones from the arrival foyer and bar at street level on Lewis Cubitt Square. A large graphic sign announces Lightroom to the square within the larger context of the host building by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris.

The foyer interior uses a similar visual language to the Bridge, with warm timber floors, a cloud of paper lanterns, a central timber staircase down to the show space and in this case a dramatic, copper coloured wall to signify the exhibition room beyond. Themes of compression, provisionality and contrasting light levels have been consistent explorations for Haworth Tompkins since the Royal Court in 2000, the studio’s first completed performance venue.