Sunderland's Culture House: Library, Art, and Fun Under One Roof!

Sunderland has just opened its brand new Culture House, a modern and multi-purpose building located near Keel Square in the city centre. This impressive venue is designed to be a hub for arts, learning, and community activities. Inside, visitors will find a library, exhibition spaces, a bar, and even a podcast studio. The building itself is striking, with a large glass roof that lets in plenty of natural light, a dark-grey spiral staircase, and tall blue panels lining the walls. The outside of the building is made of beige bricks and features many different shapes and sizes of windows, making it stand out in the area.

The Culture House was originally planned to open in the autumn of last year, with a budget of £27 million. However, due to rising construction costs, the final price tag ended up being closer to £40 million. Despite these delays and extra costs, the venue finally opened its doors on Saturday morning. Leanne Littlewood, the director of the Culture House, said that the space was created to offer something for everyone in Sunderland. She explained that people can explore the building, relax in comfortable areas, or take part in a variety of activities happening on the different floors.

The new Culture House replaces the old Sunderland City Library, which closed in December, and it will also be the new home for the Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art, which was previously located at The National Glass Centre. Inside, there are rows of white bookshelves filled with books, and the main atrium features large moving screens for exhibitions. There is also a green screen area, a cinema space, and a 360-degree immersion gallery where visitors can experience art in new and exciting ways. According to Littlewood, all of these spaces are designed to help people tell stories, make connections, and find new opportunities. The Culture House is expected to become a central part of Sunderland’s cultural life, offering a place for people of all ages to learn, create, and enjoy the arts together.