The three awe-inspiring oil tanks at the foundation of the New Tate Modern building extension provide a unique raw industrial space to display large-scale artists’ installations, as well as performances & films. The tanks would have originally contained Bankside Power Station’s ancillary plant and equipment.

Taken together, the oil tanks and adjacent circulation and exhibition spaces become new ‘as-found’ galleriesfor the exploration of contemporary visual arts at the foundation of the transformed Tate Modern.

Different lighting strategies were tested both in lighting simulation programs and through a series of site mock ups. The design intention is to provide a neutral lit background that accentuates the industrial nature of the space, is in keeping with the existing Tate Modern lighting and is flexible and adaptable to the changing exhibition needs.

Photos by GavriiLux