Swiss architects Herzog and Meuron were awarded the prestigious Pritzker prize for their transformation of the Bankside Power Station into what is Londoners’ favorite museum. The Tate Modern’s modern and contemporary art collection is so popular that they expanded the Tate three years ago, increasing its number of special exhibitions with a 10-storey geometric extension, the Switch House, at the back of the museum.
The permanent collection is arranged by theme and chronology from the 1960s onwards. The Turbine Hall’s main entrance, which formerly housed the power station’s vast electricity generator, now houses large-scale installation art and temporary exhibitions, including Robert Morris’ climbable geometric sculpture. The three subterranean tanks that stored fuel for the power station are now circular exhibit spaces dedicated to “new art,” showing live art, performances, installation, and film.
The balconies on the Boiler House’s level three have great views of St. Paul’s, and the Viewing Gallery on level 10 exhibits sweeping views of the river, and views of the Shard, London’s super-tall 95-story skyscraper.
Visit: Bankside SE1 9TG; tate.org.uk/visit/tate-modern
