‘The Galliard’ is a suspended structure in the heart of the grounds of Hardwick Old Hall. The form is inspired by the galliard, a popular Elizabethan dance, with each panel of the structure being a unique shape, each correlating to the dancers movement. The walls of the space run next to each other through the structure, yet never directly touching, such as the dancers themselves. My objective was to create a space that well informed visitors on the life of the Great Forrest Chamber, and that immersed them in a sensory experience that aims to replicate the feeling of being in the Chamber dancing the Galliard.

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The space acts as a way to view the grounds of Hardwick Hall during the day, framing views of the Derbyshire country side, and allowing a closer look at the plasterwork that remains on the walls of the Old Hall. At night however it transforms into a multi sensory experience, playing ominous music such as that which would have been played in the Chamber. The space is lit with a soft yellow glow to mimic candle light, and the user feels disoriented by the endless mirrored illusion and darkness outside.

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The structure is clad with mirrored perspex to create the illusion of the space blending into its surroundings to emphasise how the history or the dance was lost amongst other parts of the history. It has a different purpose for the interior however, as it is there to create the feeling of being surrounded by people (Bess’ guests) and heighten the ‘Dancers’ self-awareness. With slits in the walls purposefully designed to mimic the dancers eyeline when performing the galliard, and the final space being glad in gold mirror as a reference to the way Bess would end her evenings by taking her guests to the best room in house, The Hill Great Chamber.