• IN THE NEWS

Tate Modern extension opens in London

June 2016
London’s art world is buzzing this week with the opening of the new Tate Modern extension by architect Herzog & de Meuron. The pyramidal structure, known as the Switch House, sits over adapted oil tanks, its rigid concrete frame ‘draped’ with a flexible overcoat of brickwork. Whitby Wood director Mark Whitby led the early engineering design when he was with Ramboll Whitbybird.

Tate Modern extension, London

Tate Modern is famously housed in an old power station on the south bank of the Thames in London. To expand its display and performance space, Herzog & de Meuron was commissioned to design an extension for an area to the rear of the site, now accessed through the main Turbine Hall. It started as a glass box solution but evolved into the challenge of engineering a creased and folded frame, clad in a perforated brick ‘rain screen’ to blend it visually with the power station building.

Tate Modern extension, London

As the facade is far from vertical, the usual bricklaying techniques were not possible, and mortar connections could not be used as the brick overlaps are too small. The team developed the idea of pre-assembling pairs of bricks into blocks. The blocks loosely bear on one another through neoprene washers held in position with vertical stainless steel pins inserted through pre-drilled holes. Stainless steel bosses cantilever from the concrete frame to provide intermittent support for the brickwork. This method has created a flexible facade, disassociating movements in the brickwork from the frame, effectively allowing the rain screen to act as a big heavy overcoat.

Tate Modern extension, London

Inside the Switch House, the complex concrete frame is revealed. The windows run full length, screened at intervals by the brick lattice.

Tate Modern II opened to the public on 17th June 2016.

photos: Jane Joyce, Mark Whitby

  news index
Also in the news
Mohsen Vaziri

The Whitby Wood interview : Mohsen Vaziri

,
May 2023
Leonie Gombrich interviews our new director of geotechnics
Mohsen Vaziri and fellow directors

Foundations for the Future

,
May 2023
We are delighted to announce that geotechnics legend Dr Mohsen Vaziri has joined the practice
The Phoenix

The Pineapples 2023

,
April 2023
Two projects shortlisted ...

AR Future Project of the Year 2023

,
March 2023
Anthony Timberlands Center overall winner in AR Future Projects Awards ...
Fire Safety, Wood in Construction

Mass timber : tackling fire safety and insurance

,
March 2023
Timber industry launches fire safety guidance website ...
Ryan Williams

Ryan Williams appointed associate : civils team strengthens

,
February 2023
"Civils is coming to the forefront in response to climate change" ...
ASPB Awards finalist

ASBP Awards finalist

,
February 2023
ASBP Initiative Award 2023 ... Plotting our Route to Zero is a finalist!
Tim Cunningham joins Whitby Wood

Tim Cunningham brings in-depth legal experience to our team

,
January 2023
Significant strengthening of the practice ...

An award-winning month

,
December 2022
Wood, Concrete Society and International Property awards ...
Best Companies

Officially an Outstanding Company to Work for

,
November 2022
Nationally, regionally and by sector ...

“But I thought timber had been banned?”

November 2022
Article on emerging solutions for mass timber construction ...

Dan Zwetsloot appointed associate director

October 2022
We are very pleased to announce Dan's promotion ...

Joe Seal achieves conservation accreditation

October 2022
Congratulations to Joe, now a Conservation Accredited Engineer ...
100 Victoria Street

Upcycling in Bristol : 100 Victoria Street

September 2022
Great to see progress — a 1990s concrete frame being transformed ...
Kelly Harrison and Scott Lewis appointed directors

Kelly Harrison and Scott Lewis appointed directors

September 2022
New appointments significantly strengthen leadership team ...