A look inside the new Tate Britain

Tate Britain is set to fully reopen in the autumn following an extensive refurbishment of galleries and public spaces led by architect Caruso St John.

 

Artist's impression of the new Tate Britain Rotunda

Source: Courtesy Adrian König, Caruso St John. Copyright Tate

Artist’s impression of the new Tate Britain Rotunda

The project, which aims to transform the oldest part of the Grade II-listed building, began in 2011 and is budgeted at £45 million.

The first glimpse of the redevelopment came in May, when nine new galleries were opened and Tate Britain’s collection was rehung.

Now the gallery has released images of how the restored rotunda entrance and its new spiral staircase, which will lead to new public spaces below. will look.

Tate Britain director Penelope Curtis says the refurbishment of the Millbank entrance aims to ‘reassert and enhance the original grandeur and logic of the galleries’.

Model photograph of the new rotunda staircase

Source: Courtesy of Caruso St John. Copyright Tate

Model photograph of the new rotunda staircase

As well as the entrance, Caruso St John has also redesigned the Rex Whistler restaurant, which features a mural by the artist.

The restaurant and public spaces will use the Edwin Lutyens Napoleon chair, which Lutyens Furniture is bringing back into production, as well as interpretations of furniture by other Arts and Crafts designers, which will be produced by German furniture maker Deutsche Werkstätten.

The rotunda’s balcony is set to become a café and bar for Tate members, while the River Room, overlooking the Thames, will host seminars and events.

A new archive gallery and new learning studios are also being introduced.

Tate has also commissioned artists to make site-specific pieces for the refurbishment, with Richard Wright creating a stained-glass window for the Millbank entrance, Alan Johnston applying a ceiling drawing to the café and Nicola Wermers is designing a two-bowl tea and coffee spoon for use in the café.

The refurbished Tate Britain is set to reopen on 19 November.

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