Tate Modern

Officially opened on 17th June 2016 the new Tate Modern extension later named the Blavatnik building is an iconic world-class addition to London’s skyline. Enabling new ways to display Tate's collection, the new building has been instrumental to Tate Modern's recent success, as it topped the polls as the UK's most visited attraction in 2018.

Trustees of the Tate

2016

London, UK

Martin Burden

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From the ground up

Early works involved geoenvironmental ground investigations. With its rich industrial heritage, our team carefully assessed the soil conditions, ground water and gas regimes to create a baseline methodology for the groundwork going forward, which subsequently resulted in recommendations of mitigation by design and construction. This minimised the amount of remedial works that had to be undertaken.

Early works involved geoenvironmental ground investigations. With its rich industrial heritage, our team carefully assessed the soil conditions, ground water and gas regimes to create a baseline methodology for the groundwork going forward, which subsequently resulted in recommendations of mitigation by design and construction. This minimised the amount of remedial works that had to be undertaken.

Creating an icon

One of the world’s most visited museums

:

Tate Modern is the world’s most visited museum of modern art and is now also the UK's most visited attraction (2018). The extension has enabled an increased display space of 60%, which was hugely welcomed, as visitor numbers since its opening in 2000 exceeded all expectations, averaging five million annually and since the Blavatnik building opened visitors numbers have grown to 5.9 million.

The Tate Modern in numbers

: 60%
Increase in display space from Tate Modern extension

: 6 million
Number of visitors to the gallery in the year after the extension opened
: 3 awards
Won the RIBA National and London awards and Façade of the year

Images

Daniel Shearing. Officially opened on the 17th June 2016 the Tate Modern extension will ensure that the art exhibited by one of the world's leading galleries continues to enthral future generations.

Daniel Shearing.

Tate Modern East Elevation

Daniel Shearing

Tate Modern West Elevation

Daniel Shearing

From its one of a kind geometric structure to its striking brick façade, every facet of Tate Modern's extension has been planned and engineered with staggering accuracy.

Daniel Shearing

Slender precast perimeter columms support the precast cladding panels, glazing and brickwork.

Daniel Shearing

With their distinct curved geometry, wide sweeping stairs interface with both the perimeter structure and internal core.

Daniel Shearing

The Tate Modern extension is an iconic world-class addition to London's skyline.

Daniel Shearing

Tate Modern western elevation shows how the the external materials tie the buildings together visually

Daniel Shearing

Tate Modern Switch House at Dusk

Daniel Shearing

Tate Modern on the site of the former Bankside Power Station

Daniel Shearing

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