Dorich House Museum

About the museum

Dorich House is the former studio home of the sculptor Dora Gordine and her husband Richard Hare, a scholar of Russian art and literature. It was completed in 1936 to Gordine's own design and is now Grade II listed. The museum describes it as an exceptional example of a modern studio house by a woman artist.

Gordine (1895 to 1991) grew up in Estonia and worked in Paris, Singapore and London. The plaster studio, modelling studio and gallery on the lower floors were built for making and showing her sculpture, while a more modest apartment on the top floor served the couple's domestic needs. The museum holds the world's largest collection of her work, including early paintings, drawings and sculptures made in Paris and Asia as well as work from Dorich House.

Gordine and Hare also built up a collection of Russian art over their marriage. Part of it was sold at auction in the early 1990s to pay for renovation of the house; the rest is on permanent display and includes icons, paintings, ceramics, glass, metalwork, folk art and furniture from the early 18th to the early 20th century. Kingston University acquired the house in 1994 and it opened as a museum in 1996. Today it also works as a centre supporting women's creative practice, and its roof terrace has views over Richmond Park.

Highlights

• Dora Gordine's plaster and modelling studios
• World's largest collection of Gordine's sculpture
• Russian icons, ceramics and folk art
• Grade II listed 1930s studio house
• Roof terrace overlooking Richmond Park

Permanent exhibitions

• Dora Gordine collection – Sculpture, paintings and drawings by Dora Gordine, shown in the studios and gallery of the house she designed, including work made in Paris and Asia.
• Russian collection – Icons, paintings, ceramics, glassware, metalwork, folk art and furniture from the early 18th to the early 20th century, collected by Gordine and Richard Hare.

Founded

1996

Operated by

Kingston University

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission is free. Visitors can make a donation by card during the visit. Guided tours on selected days are booked through Eventbrite.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: not available
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum is on four floors, with 78 steps to the top floor by a narrow staircase and changes of level on the way. There are metal handrails on the steps to the first and second floors. The museum has no wheelchair accessible toilets and says it cannot offer full access for all physical abilities. Visitors can contact the museum before a visit, and the AccessAble website has detailed access information.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The museum is on Kingston Vale near the Robin Hood roundabout on the A3; leave the A3 at the A308 exit marked Kingston. Bike racks are at the rear of the building.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

The Studio Cafe serves cakes, coffee and tea from 11:00 to 16:30 on open days and takes card payments only. The museum shop sells books, publications, postcards and tote bags by card, and online through the Art UK shop.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Up to 50 guests.

The plaster studio (up to 20 in theatre layout), modelling studio (up to 50 in theatre layout), top floor apartment and the entire house (up to 50, including garden, gallery and roof terrace) can be hired outside public opening hours.

Plan your visit