Tate Modern
Herzog & de Meuron · London, United Kingdom · 2000
Tate Modern occupies the former Bankside Power Station, a monumental brick building originally designed by Giles Gilbert Scott in the 1940s. Herzog & de Meuron's conversion retained much of the industrial character, most notably the colossal Turbine Hall, which now serves as a dramatic entry space for large-scale installations. The architects added a distinctive two-story "light beam" on top of the existing structure, housing galleries and offering panoramic views of the Thames. The adaptive reuse of the power station into a contemporary art museum exemplifies a prominent trend in late 20th-century architecture, transforming disused industrial infrastructure for cultural purposes. This project established Tate Modern as a significant institution for modern and contemporary art, contributing to the regeneration of London's South Bank and influencing subsequent museum designs globally.