serpentine sackler gallery by zaha hadid opens

serpentine sackler gallery by zaha hadid opens
image © luke hayes, 2013

on saturday, september 28th, the serpentine sackler gallery designed by zaha hadid will open to the public. the renovation project has seen the transformation of the magazine, a former 1805 gunpowder store positioned a short 7-minute walk from the serpentine gallery, on the north side of the serpentine bridge.

the serpentine’s second exhibition space in kensington gardens, the new 900 square metres expanse’s programs will include an additional gallery, restaurant and social zone and is set to be london’s new cultural destination.

named after dr. mortimer and dame theresa sackler, whose foundation has made the project possible through the largest single gift received by the serpentine gallery in its 43-year history, has realized the grade II listed building as suitable for the public use for the first time in its 208-year history.

the serpentine sackler gallery features a white, dynamic undulating roof
image © luke hayes, 2013

restored in partnership with the royal parks, zaha hadid has envisioned a dynamic, white undulating and peaking roof top–a light and transparent extension–the contemporary structure compliments, rather than competes with the original neo-classical architecture. the ‘serpentine sackler gallery’ is zaha hadid’s first permanent project in central london, and is a continuation of the relationship between the cultural institution and hadid which started back in 2000 when she was the inaugural architect to create the serpentine gallery pavilion. the landscaping around the new gallery will be designed and planted by arabella lennox-boyd.

see designboom’s coverage of when it was first announced that zaha hadid would design of the ‘serpentine sackler gallery’ here.

main entrance to the magazine
serpentine sackler gallery
image © luke hayes, 2013

detail of the roof which touches the ground before ascending upwards again
serpentine sackler gallery
image © luke hayes, 2013

the new gallery compliments the neo-classical architecture of the original building
serpentine sackler gallery
image © luke hayes, 2013

view of the sharply sloping roof
serpentine sackler gallery
image © luke hayes, 2013

serpentine sackler gallery
image © luke hayes, 2013

serpentine sackler gallery
image © luke hayes, 2013

serpentine sackler gallery occupies a former 1805 gunpowder store
image © luke hayes, 2013

columns double as light wells in the lobby
serpentine sackler gallery
image © luke hayes, 2013

the smooth white supports contrast against the yellow brick construction and dark tile floor
serpentine sackler gallery
image © luke hayes, 2013

the robust structure once housed ammunition
serpentine sackler gallery
image © luke hayes, 2013

galleries circumscribe the original building
serpentine sackler gallery
image © luke hayes, 2013

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