Building News
David Chipperfield: perfect harmony
Germany woke up to the bold, simple brilliance of David Chipperfield a long time ago. Is Britain finally catching on?
See the full article from the Guardian: http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/2010/feb/03/david-chipperfield
Turner Contemporary - Building Progress - 15 February 2010
There has been good progress on the gallery building, with the main structural concrete now complete, the main roof structural steelwork complete and the roof decking to receive the finishes in good progress. Pre-cast concrete staircases are also being installed and when these are in place the roof can be sealed. Despite the scaffolding around the building, the distinctive form of the building with the mono-pitch rooflines, can now be clearly seen.
The waterproof membrane to the structural concrete walls and fixing brackets for the main glass facade are being installed from the scaffolding around building.
The installation of Mechanical and Electrical building services is in good progress with air distribution ducting and conduits under construction along with the necessary builders work.
The main gallery building will sit on a fair-faced concrete plinth and this is under construction with suitable protection in place to prevent damage during the follow-on works. The construction of the boiler house at the south terrace and the ramp from the main site level to the terrace is also in progress. The fair-faced concrete facing to the retaining wall will commence shortly.
On current planning, the building will be fully clad and watertight by spring 2010. It will then be possible to view the building from the western side of the bay and see it exactly as it is shown in the publicity materials and the images shown on the site notice board.
It is possible to walk through the building and clearly see the sequence, size and character of the different spaces. There will be spectacular sea views, from the main gallery and reception and the multi function space on the ground floor and from the balcony gallery, the learning studio and the administration offices on the first floor.
The landscape design by Gross Max Landscape Architects and David Chipperfield Architects has been finalised and is primarily a hard landscaping scheme to recognise the exposed nature of the site. It will comprise basalt setts, remodelled steps to the waterfront promenade and new seating and street furniture. There will be improved access for pedestrians to the Harbour Arm and some soft landscaping above the retaining wall at Fort Hill.
Chris Gabriel, Turner Contemporary Project Manager
Photographs of Turner Contemporary Progress
The images below show aspects of the work that has been carried out to date, beginning with the most recent at the top.
5 March 2010
5 March 2010
5 March 2010
5 March 2010
5 March 2010 
15 February 2010
15 February 2010
15 February 2010
15 February 2010 - North Facade
Learning Studio - February 2010
Holger Mattes - January 2010
12 January 2010 - The last of the concreting at the Western Gable End
12 January 2010 - Roofing progress
12 January 2010 - Preparation for the roof decking
12 January 2010 - Ducting progress
12 January 2010 - Ducting underway in the back-of house areas
12 January 2010
12 January 2010
12 January 2010
12 January 2010
19 December 2009
19 December 2009
19 December 2009
19 December 2009
1 December 2009
1 December 2009
1 December 2009
16 November 2009
16 November 2009
11 November 2009
11 November 2009
11 November 2009
5 November 2009
5 November 2009
5 November 2009
5 November 2009
October 2009
October 2009
27 October 2009
27 October 2009
27th October
15 October 2009
15 October 2009 First floor balcony above reception area
15 October 2009 Ground floor gallery and reception area
15 October 2009 Wall to studio under construction
September 2009
September 2009
September 2009
August 2009
August 2009
August 2009
Walls to go up August 2009
View across site July 2009
Mixer and materials on site July 2009
View over site July 2009
July 2009
Work on general store July 2009
Start of the ground Floor Slab June 2009
Laying the foundations June 2009
View across the site
Ariel View June 2009
Foundations of exterior wall May 2009
The first tower crane arrives on site
Piling rig in action
Temporary road for lifeboat access
Top of the pilings for the retaining wall
Building site, February 2009
Piling Rig
Preparing the platform for the piling rig
Hoardings erected at Fort Hill