Instead of a glass structure with console blocks that gave Tate Modern 2 a rigid angular silhouette, it is now a streamlined pyramidal shape with a brick-faced concrete facade. It is cut by horizontal stripes of floors with flat glazing, which will enliven the building in the dark. Also, the new project provides, instead of a complete redesign, only minimal changes in the underground tanks turned into exhibition halls, and the creation of a roof terrace, reminiscent of the silhouette of a pipe of the neighboring building of the former power plant.
The replacement of glass with brick was made both for technical reasons (this is a more energy-active option) and for artistic reasons: the reconstructed industrial building of the Tate Modern is also built of bricks, and this solution will help to create an ensemble of new and old buildings. However, the architects advocated the option with a concrete facade without cladding at all - but British experts considered that such a structure would seem "ugly" to the London public.
The height of the new wing has dropped from 70 to 65 m, but still it will add 21,500 sq. m of usable area to the 35,000 available at Tate Modern.
So far, of the 215 million pounds required for the implementation of the project, only 70 million have been collected, but despite this, construction is planned to begin in early 2009. Director of Tate Nicholas Serota hopes for financial assistance from Russian patrons who have already shown interest in the project; The tight timeline for the Tate Modern 2 is set by the 2012 London Olympics, with the new building expected to be operational.
