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MARGATE
Turner Contemporary Gallery
David Chipperfield Architects presented the latest
designs for the new gallery for Turner Contemporary
at a public meeting at The Winter Gardens,
Margate, on 18 June 2007.
The building
will be situated towards the entrance to the seafront
Rendezvous site to connect between the
site and Margate Old Town. It will be raised onto
a high terrace to protect the building and it will
be accessed via a wide flight of stairs and a
ramp. As well as raising the building, the terrace
will also provide outdoor space adjacent to
the café, offering stunning views of Margate’s
sunsets. Approximately 20 metres high over 3
storeys, the building will be a landmark visible
from all the main entry points to the town. Once
inside, public circulation is via a staircase and
lift situated in the centre of the building. The top
floor will be entirely dedicated to gallery space
providing excellent views in all directions.
Elsewhere in the building will be a dedicated
education space, including a gallery for showing
work made or organised by young people, a
multi-function space capable of seating up to
eighty people, and a reception area which will
include a shop, café and toilets.
The plans represent the overall design direction
of the £17.4 million gallery, which will move
into detailed development over the summer.
Construction are scheduled to begin at the end
of summer 2008 while the gallery will open to
the public in 2010.
David Chipperfield comments: “We are very excited
about the designs. The challenge has been
to create a building that responds to the opportunities
of the site. We are confident that this
design makes the most of site’s potential and
remains sensitive to its unique setting”.
The aim is to base the building around the artist
JMW Turner who regularly visited the town
and frequently painted the Margate seascape
and was an advocate of contemporary art. The
project is expected to be a major catalyst boosting
the economy and regeneration of Margate,
encouraging businesses, visitors and residents
to the area.
September 2007
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