Dominic Williams of Ellis Williams Architects was selected as the competition winner.

Gateshead Metropolitan Borough Council took the visionary decision to develop the run down area of the south bank of the River Tyne with some high profile cultural buildings. The project involved the conversion of the Baltic flour mill which had been redundant since 1982.

Only the north and south facades of the original building were retained. The building now consists of six main floors and three mezzanines and contains four galleries, a flexible performance space, artists’ studios, cinema/lecture space, shop, library, café and rooftop restaurant.

The BALTIC now forms part of the city’s cultural quarter – Gateshead Quays – and is the largest visual arts centre outside London.

Awards

• RIBA Award 2003
• Civic Trust Award 2004
• Blueprint Architectural Award 2002
• Hosted Stirling Prize 2002
• Hosted Turner Prize 2011