Turner Contemporary Gallery, Margate, Kent, UK
2007-10
David Chipperfield Architects
image: Richard Davies, from David Chipperfield Architects 210208
21 Feb 2008:
David Chipperfield Architects' Turner Contemporary gallery granted planning permission
On 20 February 2008, Thanet District Council resolved to grant planning permission for the new Turner Contemporary gallery in Margate, Kent, designed by David Chipperfield Architects.
The new gallery will celebrate Margate’s association with the English painter JMW Turner. Located directly on the seafront, on a site once occupied by a guesthouse frequented by Turner, the gallery will present both historic and contemporary exhibitions as well as a program of educational and cultural events. The design seeks to take maximum advantage of the dramatic setting and its extraordinary views, making strong connections both to the sea and the town. Located between land and sea, the two-storey gallery will have a strong and very visible sculptural presence on the site. Raised on a plinth to protect against flooding, the building will be formed by six identical volumes with mono-pitched roofs that provide northlight into all the upper level galleries. The roofline will form the silhouette of the building, reminiscent of a coastal vernacular. The decision to use white glass as the cladding material was driven by its ability to catch the changing light conditions and withstand the rough seaside weather.
Kent County Council, which is leading the project, will now seek to appoint a contractor and work is expected to start on site in Autumn 2008, ahead of an opening date of 2010.
David Chipperfield presented the latest designs for the new gallery for Turner Contemporary at The Theatre Royal, Margate, 16 Oct 2007.
Image credit: Copyright David Chipperfield Architects
Since the designs were last shown in June, David Chipperfield Architects has been working closely with Kent County Council and the wider client team, as well as taking on comments that were raised by members of the public. The blueprint for the building has evolved considerably and now comprises six rectangular interlocking forms.
Positioned on a plinth and on two floors rather than three, the building retains a strong sculptural presence on the site. The roofline has been changed to reflect more closely other architecture in Margate and enables northern light to be brought into all the gallery spaces at the first floor level. In addition the choice of white opaque glass as the cladding material has been influenced by the nature of the building, site and light.
Visitors will experience an element of surprise and drama when moving through the building. There will be some panoramic views out to sea as well as the opportunity to view the town and the bay from the café on the ground floor. A spectacular double height space in the gallery on the ground floor will serve to showcase new commissions. A large, multi-function space on the ground floor, with an external terrace, will allow a wide range of events and activities to take place as part of the gallery’s programme.
Image credit: Copyright David Chipperfield Architects
The first floor will house all the gallery spaces including the young people’s gallery and a studio space for use by groups including schools. This floor will also feature a balcony that cantilevers out over the ground floor gallery and allows spectacular views out to sea.
Back of house space including offices, storage and workshop have been placed on both floors. These areas will not be accessible to members of the public but are critical for the smooth operation of the gallery.
Speaking about the latest design, David Chipperfield said:
"We have developed the design following the public meeting in June to take maximum advantage of such a dramatic setting with its extraordinary views. Our building will look out to the sea, connect itself to the town and capture the same unique light that inspired Turner."
Turner Contemporary Gallery Architect : David Chipperfield Architects
World Architecture : e-architect - a guide to key buildings across the globe
Kent Buildings
Comments / photos for the Turner Gallery Margate Architecture page welcome: info@e-architect.co.uk
Turner Gallery Margate - page : adrian welch / isabelle lomholt