The New Tate Modern, London

The completion of the Swiss office’s project for the London museum marks not only the conclusion of a task begun 20 years ago, but also, and primarily, the accomplishment of a masterly work of architecture. Thanks to the guidance of an intelligent client and the professional maturity of the architects, it manages to dig its roots deep into London’s urban fabric as a genuine piece of the contemporary city.

- Richard Bryant

FROM THE ARCHITECTS’ PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Tate Modern has changed London since 2000. The impact it has had on urban design and the development of the South Bank and Southwark has been as substantial as its influence on the city’s artistic, cultural and social life. The new development will add another decisive dimension to the architecture and environment of this quarter and beyond. With a new entrance to the south and a direct north-south passage taking people from the Thames through the existing building and the Turbine Hall out to a new city plaza to the south on Sumner Street and from there on to Southwark, the new development will connect Southwark with the Thames and provide much improved open public space.

Tate Modern is the world’s most-visited museum of modern and contemporary art. In its next stage of development, the vision is to establish a new model for museums of modern and contemporary art by fully integrating the display, learning and social functions of the museum, strengthening links between the museum, its locality and the city.