Architecture of Tate Modern

In December 1992 the Tate Trustees announced their intention to create a separate gallery for international modern and contemporary art in London.

The former Bankside Power Station was selected as the new gallery site in 1994. The iconic power station was designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott and was constructed of a brick shell supported by an interior steel structure.

In July 1994 an international competition was launched to select an architect to redesign the power station. By November, the initial 148 entrants had been whittled down to a shortlist of six. In January 1995, the firm Herzog & de Meuron were announced as winners of the competition. The dignified simplicity of their proposal impressed the jury. In 1996 the design plans were unveiled and, following a £12 million grant from the English Partnerships regeneration agency, the site was purchased and work began.

The building was completed in 1999, in January 2000 artworks began to be installed and it was opened on 11 May 2000.

Then in 2009 Tate embarked on a major project to develop Tate Modern. Working again with Herzog & de Meuron.

Tate Modern is one of the largest museums of modern and contemporary art in the world

(Abridged from Tate’s own publicity)