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Barbican Art Gallery; Ceiling Blackout & Restoration for Film Projection Exhibition
The Barbican Art Gallery required a specialist spray painting solution to support an upcoming exhibition where films were projected onto the walls. The challenge? The ceilings, which were originally bright white, had to be spray-painted black to eliminate light reflection and create a darker, immersive environment for the exhibition.
Three months later, once the exhibition ended, we had to restore the ceilings back to white, ensuring they were flawless for the next installation. Given the high environmental standards of the Barbican Centre, all coatings had to be low VOC, eco-friendly paints, ensuring minimal impact on air quality.
With just 4 days to complete each turnaround, precision, efficiency, and coordination with other trades on-site were critical to success.
Client:
Barbican Art Gallery
Sector:
Arts & Culture | Exhibition Space | Specialist Spray Painting
Project Size:
10 rooms with 100s of ceiling coves
Services Provided:
Blackout & Restoration Spray Painting
Project Challenges & Solutions
Fast Turnaround with Minimal Disruption
- The gallery had a tight 4-day window for both the blackout and the restoration phases.
- Solution: We used airless spray technology, allowing for fast, even application across large areas while ensuring rapid drying times.
Detailed Masking & Protection
- The ceilings had hundreds of intricate coves, plus built-in fixtures, fittings, walls, and floors that all had to be fully protected.
- Solution: Extensive masking and sheeting were applied to protect all surfaces, ensuring a precise and damage-free finish.
Working Around Other Trades
- The site was busy with multiple contractors, requiring careful coordination to maintain health and safety.
- Solution: Our team worked closely with the Barbican Centre team, ensuring a safe, efficient workflow without disrupting other trades.
Environmental Compliance & Low VOC Paints
- The Barbican Centre enforces strict sustainability policies, requiring low-VOC, eco-friendly coatings.
- Solution: We used Little Greene low-VOC paint, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations while delivering a high-quality, durable finish.
The Process
Step 1: Preparation & Protection
- Full masking of fixtures, fittings, walls, and floors to prevent overspray.
- Deployment of air extraction systems to maintain air quality.
- RAMS (Risk Assessment & Method Statements) approved for safe operations.
Step 2: Blackout Spray Painting for Exhibition
- Applied multiple coats of black using airless spray technology to ensure uniform coverage in every cove.
- Conducted light reflection tests to confirm the optimal blackout effect.
Step 3: Restoration Back to White
- After the exhibition, the ceilings were spray-painted back to white, restoring the gallery’s original aesthetic.
- A final quality check ensured a smooth, even finish with no signs of the previous black coating.
The Results
Flawless blackout finish, creating the perfect immersive environment for projected films.
Ceilings fully restored to pristine white, ready for the next exhibition.
Completed within the strict 4-day window, twice—once for blackout, once for restoration.
Eco-friendly, low-VOC materials used, meeting the Barbican Centre’s environmental policies.
Why the Barbican Art Gallery Chose Us
Expertise in Specialist Exhibition Spray Painting – Delivering flawless finishes for art spaces.
Fast & Efficient Turnaround – Completed both phases in just 4 days each.
Precision Masking & Protection – Ensured zero overspray on fixtures and fittings.
Eco-Friendly, Low VOC Paints – Meeting strict sustainability standards.
Need a Specialist Spray Painting Solution for an Exhibition or Cultural Space?
We specialise in gallery spray painting, theatre blackout coatings, and exhibition space transformations.
Request a Quote Today and let’s discuss your project needs.
Keyword Focus
- Exhibition spray painting services
- Blackout spray painting for galleries
- Airless spray painting for cultural spaces
- Little Greene low VOC paint application
- Barbican Art Gallery painting project
- Specialist ceiling spray painting London
- Gallery restoration and blackout coatings
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Copyright © NuColour Ltd.
Registered Office: 86-90 Paul St, London, EC2A 4NE
Registered Company in England & Wales. Company No: 12547322. VAT Reg: 451940005.
NuColour Ltd is committed to delivering high-quality spray-painting services with a focus on professionalism, precision, and customer satisfaction. We adhere to strict health and safety regulations, including working at height and PPE compliance, ensuring a safe environment for both our team and clients. Fully insured and compliant with UK industry standards, we operate with transparency and integrity.
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