The Tate Modern is opening an extension to their current building as part of plans to redefine the gallery.
The new expansion on the south wing
The new building will be designed by Swiss architects Herzog and de Meuron, who re-modelled the former Bankside Power Station after the Tate purchased it in 1996.
Costing £260m and standing at 64.5m tall, the same height as the chimney, the new building will open to the public on June 17. The new space will stand to the south of the existing exhibition rooms, and will be first seen by 5,000 schoolchildren specially invited to experience the artworks, as well as performances and interactive pieces.
The Tate Modern Project is a new vision to transform the gallery for the 21st Century. It began with the opening of The Tanks, underground industrial oil storage spaces below the exhibition rooms, which displayed installations and performances for a 15-week festival in 2012. The south wing expansion was set to be completed in the same year for the Olympics, but delays to the project meant that The Tanks opened as an alternative.
‘Empty Lot’ by Abraham Cruzvillegas in the Turbine Hall
Welcoming five million visitors per year, the gallery simply does not have enough space to house all of the works in its collection, nor people. Kate, a gallery assistant, said “we’ve got 92,000 works in the collection, but still nowhere near enough space even with four galleries across the UK.”
“In terms of what it’s going to look like, it’s not really been released yet. It’s unconfirmed which pieces will be included in the extension building, but thanks to the generosity of UK taxpayers plus sponsors and donations, we’ve been able to really make a difference to how people will use the spaces.”
“It’s going to have ten storeys, a public viewing platform, dedicated eating and drinking spaces, and most importantly a massive extension for people to enjoy the works we have in our possession. There’ll be new teaching spaces too, as well as a members’ room to enjoy our facilities. It’s going to be a real benefit to the public, with an additional 20,700 square feet of space to enjoy our artwork.”
The extension, which is yet to be named, has been designed to be environmentally sustainable. The heat emitted from EDF Energy’s adjoining transformers will provide its energy – levels will be at 54% less than current building standards require, as well as 44% less carbon emissions. Making use of natural daylight and ventilation, the expansion is set to pave the way for environmentally sustainable museums across the country. Constructed using a perforated brick lattice, in the evening the extension’s lights will glow through the windows cut into the side.
The new building opens on June 17 and entrance is free.
