Synopsis
The Serpentine Sackler Gallery is an exhibition space for the Serpentine Gallery in Kensington Gardens/Hyde Park. The project involved the re-use of The Magazine building – a grade II listed 19th century powder store constructed at the time of the Napoleonic Wars.
The Royal Parks were seeking to put the building to cultural use after its military history, and more recent use as a Royal Parks' stores, office and welfare accommodation. The Serpentine Gallery won the competition for potential occupiers with a proposal developed in collaboration with Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA), and Arup as multi-disciplinary engineer. The project is an interesting mix of sensitive historic refurbishment and adaption to create the main gallery space, and the addition of a contemporary pavilion extension space with a free-form sculptural fabric roof.