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Herzog & de Meuron's extension of London's famed Tate Modern art gallery has already been a smashing success, breaking attendance records over the weekend and marking a new era for the popular cultural attraction. The 10-storey addition — named Switch House after the electrical utilities building previously located on the site — attracted over 143,000 people between its opening on Friday, June 17, and the following Monday. Saturday alone witnessed 54,000 people exploring the new space, more than ever before on a single day. Many of them were equipped with cameras as they traversed the tapered tower's gallery and exhibition spaces, resulting in some truly immersive images.
Compared to London's other galleries and museums, Tate Modern is a relatively young institution. Yet calls for its expansion have been escalating ever since its 2000 opening, when it became clear just how popular the power plant-turned-arts hub really was. While the modern and contemporary art it houses is the star attraction, the space itself is also on display.
The imposing Turbine Hall and preserved travelling crane are just some of the notable highlights of the building's omnipresent industrial past. The conversion of the Bankside Power Station was handled by Herzog & de Meuron, who return to replicate that same rugged vibe by implementing latticed exterior brickwork and raw concrete interiors.
Sitting atop three underground oil tanks — which were previously converted into performance art venues — the 64.5-metre-tall Switch House creates 60 percent more exhibition space. These tanks are linked to the new gift shop and entrance by a spiralling concrete staircase. The Turbine Hall is currently home to Tree, a piece by Chinese artist Ai Weiwei, which is comprised of numerous branches, roots, and trunks from different species of trees across China.
A series of indoor bridges connect the existing galleries of the Boiler House with the addition. Perforations in the facade and slim windows allow light to pour into the space as the floor plates shrink on the upper levels. Spaces for education and events, as well as a members' lounge and restaurant, occupy the top of the tower. A viewing platform provides a never-before-seen panorama of the London skyline and the 1952-commissioned former power plant, chimney and all. Recent London landmarks like The Shard and 20 Fenchurch Street can be spotted from the lookout area.
The spatial flexibility of the Switch House lends increased opportunities for Tate Modern's growing collection of art. Its new entrances provide enhanced circulation throughout the complex, while the sheer size of the expanded facility ensures comfort and easy movement for the steady stream of visitors flowing into the galleries. As the urbanizing cities of the world grapple with the question of what do with their crumbling industrial monuments, Tate Modern continues to serve as the benchmark for adaptive reuse.
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