Tate Modern’s new Switch House

The new Switch House at Tate Modern in London designed by Swiss architectural firm Herzog & de Meuron.
The new Switch House at Tate Modern in London designed by Swiss architectural firm Herzog & de Meuron. View from the West side of the building with the river Thames on the left side (to the North) of the museum. Please note the reflections of the sun from the neighboring glass clad buildings.

In June 2016 Tate Modern opened the new Switch House building to the public. The new building houses exhibition spaces, a 360 degree public viewing deck on the tenth floor, a new restaurant on the ninth floor and a new members room on the eight floor. The architects that designed the new building were the same ones that redesigned the Bankside power station that opened in 2000, Herzog & de Meuron. Tate modern has many different well put together exhibits throughout the year. The permanent collection is also very interesting and it is free for everyone. If you plan on going more than a few times during your visit to London you may want to consider becoming a member, it is not too expensive and it gives you free access to all exhibitions. In addition you can visit the member rooms and it also includes Tate Britain across the Thames.

A panoramic view over the Tames from the viewing deck.
A panoramic view over the Tames from the viewing deck on the 10:th floor of the Switch House. Click image to see larger version in a new tab.
Tate Modern seen from the Milennium bridge with the new Switch House in the background.
Tate Modern seen from the Millennium bridge with the new Switch House in the background.
The Switch House from the other side.
The Switch House in the sun.
Tate Switch House
Tate Switch House
Looking up at the Switch House.
Looking up at the Switch House.
Staircase in the Switch House
Staircase in the Switch House.

I like this structure, from the top viewing deck to the bottom Tank spaces made from the old oil tanks that were used to store the fuel for the power plant when that was the purpose of  the building. It wouldn’t be wrong to say that the building has gone from producing power for the homes and offices in London to producing fuel for the human sole instead. The sweeping lines o the concrete contrasted with the black handrails and the light wood floors – beautiful in itself and then add all the fabulous art and it becomes just so super good! As far as newer buildings in London, I think this is really the cream of the crop – go explore!

Switch House interior.
Switch House interior.
Second floor of the Switch House.
Second floor of the Switch House.
Interior view of a corner of the Switch House.
Interior view of a corner of the Switch House.
The nice sweeping lines of the staircase in contrast to the angular elements in the structure. Also note the contrast between the harsher concrete and the warm wood flooring.
The nice sweeping lines of the staircase in contrast to the angular elements in the structure. Also note the contrast between the harsher concrete and the warm wood flooring.
View from inside the brick "laced" Switch House.
View from inside the brick “laced” Switch House.
Down in the basement between the new Switch House and the old Boiler House is the Tanks.
Down in the basement between the new Switch House and the old Boiler House is the Tanks.
The Tanks spaces at Tate modern.
The Tanks spaces at Tate modern.
The Tanks.
The Tanks, former oil storage tanks for the power plant.
xDominique Gonzalez-Foerster, Séance de Shadow II (bleu) 1998, in the Tanks allows the visitor to take part in making the art.
Dominique Gonzalez-Foerster, Séance de Shadow II (bleu) 1998. This exhibit in the Tanks allow the visitor to take part in making the art.

Tate Modern London Restaurant

Sir Henry Tate

Sir Henry Tate 3-11-1819-12-5-1899
Sir Henry Tate 3-11-1819-12-5-1899

The Sugar Cube – Main source of Sir Henry Tate’s fortune.

Sugar cubes - the main source of Sir Henry Tate's fortune was the patent for the sugar cube which he acquired.
Sugar cubes – the main source of Sir Henry Tate’s fortune was the patent for the sugar cube which he acquired.

Sir Henry Tate was the founder of the Tate art collections and galleries, two in London, the Tate Modern and Tate Britain, One in Liverpool – Tate Liverpool, and one in Cornwall – Tate St Ives. He made the bulk of his fortune from acquiring the patent for the sugar cube.

Richard Tuttle's 'I don't know' in the great hall at the Tate Modern London
Richard Tuttle’s ‘I don’t know’ in the great hall at the Tate Modern London

I have been to the Tate a few times now and it is one of my favorite places in London , and the world for that matter, to go for art. They also happen to have a very nice and vegetarian friendly restaurant on the sixth floor with an extraordinary view of the river Thames and the city. I went back this year while visiting for the Holidays and found that the quality is still top notch, although one might wish for a menu refresh as far as the Vegetarian alternative goes. The Mushroom risotto is very good but another alternative would be welcomed.

A view from the 6:th ffloor restaurant at Tate Modern, London
A view from the 6:th floor restaurant at Tate Modern, London
Inside the restaurant
Inside the restaurant
Aperitif
Aperitif
Onion soup and a Port to start
Onion soup and a Sherry to start
Mushroom Risotto paired with a nice Côtes du Rhône
Mushroom Risotto paired with a nice Côtes du Rhône

You can also, and it may even be advisable, pair your food selections with excellent beers chosen especially for some dishes – in this case I just felt like wine…

Regional British cheeses, oatcakes and chutney paired with Flight of wines, 3 wines of 50ml each
Regional British cheeses, oatcakes and chutney paired with Flight of wines, 3 wines of 50ml each
Coffee and Cognac in the Memeber's room at the Tate Modern
Coffee and Cognac in the Member’s room at the Tate Modern London

If you plan on visiting more than one of the Tate’s and to come back – it may be worth becoming a member – you will also support this great organization’s work by doing so. Memberships currently – December 2014 start at GBP 62.