Tate Modern

Tate Modern has unveiled plans for a tall extension on its south side increasing the modern art gallery's overall size by more than half. A picture of the proposed extension is shown below:

The new glass building, on part of the southwest lawn, will rise above the existing main brick structure and be visible from the City.

The architects are Herzog & de Meuron who converted Bankside Power Station into Tate Modern. The cost of the new building is £165 million at today's prices and the Tate will be seeking both Lottery and private funding. It is estimated that the final bill could be £215 million.

There will be new performance areas, a 400 seat auditorium, new flexible exhibition space and more room for the pioneering education service. A public roof terrace and a tenth floor restaurant will provide panoramic views both north and south.

I have viistd the tate many times, as going to school in london and doing art it was the place to go for school trips, and while i was there i was never very impressed with the outside as i always thought it looked like an old disused run-down building, so hopefully this new extension will give it the twist i believe it so desperatly needs!