tate modern extension by herzog & de meuron moves ahead

tate modern extension by herzog & de meuron moves ahead
image © herzog & de meuron

UPDATE: on september 22, 2015, it was announced that the herzog & de meuron-designed extension would officially open to the public on june 17, 2016.

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construction is moving quickly ahead at the tate modern site, where an extension, designed by herzog & de meuron, is being built to provide additional gallery space – easing congestion at the world’s most visited museum of modern art. the addition will form a new model for galleries of this type, fully incorporating the exhibition, learning and social functions of the museum and strengthening links between the tate modern and the city.

as part of the extension a direct passage will take visitors from the tate’s primary riverside entrance, through the turbine hall and out onto a new public plaza at the rear of the site. this development will connect southwark with the thames, integrating the building further within the city’s urban fabric.

view from the west
image © hayes davidson and herzog & de meuron
image courtesy of tate

approaching the museum from the river, the extension rises above the former power station, establishing a connection with the existing structure, without overpowering its iconic form. helping establish a strong architectural dialogue between the new and existing structures, the same base palette of bricks will be used, but implemented in a radical way; a perforated brick screen filters light inside the building, whilst simultaneously allowing the structure to gently glow at night. in addition to doubling gallery space, the project will create a diverse collection of public areas, dedicated to reflection and contemplation. these expanses are spread throughout the design, linked by a circulation system which rises through the structure. ‘the tanks’, which opened in 2012, are at the heart of the plan, providing a constant link at basement level.

the ‘tate modern project’ is scheduled to be completed by 2016.

images © hayes davidson and herzog & de meuron
images courtesy of tate

(left) view from the south-east / image © hayes davidson and herzog & de meuron
(right) detail of the perforated brickwork design and horizontal windows on the new building / image © herzog & de meuron
images courtesy of tate