tate modern's switch house expansion by herzog & de meuron set to open in london

next month, a new ten-storey building at london’s tate modern art gallery will open its doors to the public for the first time. designed by herzog & de meuron — the acclaimed swiss firm who originally transformed the former power station 16 years ago — the expansion is situated behind the original building, offering 60% more space for visitors to explore. combining raw industrial spaces with refined contemporary architecture, the interior of the extension features raw concrete folded into dramatic angles, offering a dynamic series of spaces capable of hosting a diverse range of different types of art.

a rugged brick façade matches the surface of the existing building
image © iwan baan (also main image)

taking its name from part of power station that the new galleries now occupy, the height of the ‘switch house’ responds to the building’s famous chimney which measures 99 meters in height. a rugged brick façade matches the surface of the existing structure, while creating a perforated brick lattice that allows light to permeate from within. its twisting, pyramid-like shape culminates in a new roof terrace with panoramic views of the river thames, st paul’s cathedral and the rapidly changing london skyline. ‘the form is something between a very rational form and a very irrational form, a pyramidal shape,’ explains jacques herzog. ‘it’s to do with the geometries of the land parcel, but also angles that will lead people into the galleries.’

a sculptural staircase connects each of the extension’s 10 storeys
image © iwan baan

a late-opening bar overlooks a busy new public square to the south of the gallery, with a new restaurant on level 9 also offering sweeping views across the city. a bar-adjacent shop allows guests to browse exhibition-related products, while a series of small landings and enclaves spread out from a sculptural staircase — providing visitors with designated areas where they can stop to discuss or reflect. the tate modern ‘switch house’ will officially open to the public on june 17, 2016. see designboom’s previous coverage of the project here.

visitors are provided with designated areas where they can stop to discuss or reflect
image © iwan baan

sweeping views are provided across the city below
image © iwan baan

the twisting, pyramid-like shape culminates in a new roof terrace with panoramic views
image © iwan baan

the design combines raw industrial spaces with refined contemporary architecture
image © iwan baan

the tate modern switch house will officially open to the public on june 17, 2016
image © iwan baan