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Tate Modern

A global haven for contemporary art

Revitalising one of the most visited art museums in the world

Tate Modern museum in London features contrasting architectural styles: a classic building and a modern, brick-clad extension.

Key takeaways

66%

increase in gallery floor space

170,000

bespoke bricks

11

storeys high

  • Transformed disused power station into a global art destination welcoming 5 million visitors annually, boosting the local economy and community engagement. 

  • Utilised off-site prefabrication for concrete sections and a bridge, reducing on-site hours and minimising visitor disruption. 

  • Received a gold award at the Considerate Constructors Scheme (CCS) National Site Awards for commitment to raising funds for a collection of local charities.

Delivering an iconic new addition to Tate Modern was always going to be challenging. Mace brought creativity and expertise to ensure the successful completion of the project, which was already a firm favourite on the London art scene. 

Since opening in 2000, Tate Modern on London's South Bank has welcomed over five million visitors a year—more than twice what it was designed to accommodate. As a result, Tate sought an extension to the galleries that would redefine it for the 21st century. 

Our role evolved during the development of this 11-storey structure (equivalent to 22 storeys of a standard commercial office block). Strong collaboration with the client and design team early on proved instrumental in achieving successful planning permission and saw our retention on the project as it moved to the next phase, with the team adapting to manage the construction as building works got underway. 

Mace managed this complex construction project and maintained strong community relations with local residents. The Switch House at Tate Modern is Britain's most important new cultural building since the creation of the Royal National Theatre in 1976 and the British Library in 1998, making it an outstanding addition to London's cultural heritage. 

Our commitment to minimising the impact of construction on local communities was recognised in 2015 when the Tate Modern team received a gold award at the Considerate Constructors Scheme (CCS) National Site Awards. We also supported a number of apprentices through the project, ensuring that we created a lasting legacy.