It is Zaha Hadid Architects first permanent building in central London, and follows on from Hadid’s temporary summer Serpentine Pavilion in 2000.
The new space is set across 900 sq m in the parkland, only a five-minute walk from the Serpentine Gallery, itself created 43 years ago. To create the new gallery, aimed at being a new cultural destination on the north side of the Serpentine Bridge, Hadid renovated a former gunpowder store, built in 1805, and has added a light and transparent extension to complement the neo-classical architecture of the original building.
To the side of the building sits an Hadid signature structure with an organically shaped, undulating canopy, sitting over a gallery, restaurant and social area. Kensington Garden’s trees and wildlife surround the building.
The gallery has been named after Dr Mortimer and Dame Theresa Sackler, whose foundation donated a significant amount towards the development. Bloomberg also made a major contribution towards its funding.
