Tate Britain plans outdoor gardens and classroom

"Adrian ZorzutLocal Democracy Reporting Service Feilden Fowles/WCC Tate Britain plans to build new Mediterranean and East Asian-inspired green spaces and a "garden classroom" for children. The proposal, which is awaiting permission from Westminster City Council, would transform the gallery's Millbank entrance by replacing the existing open spaces with a large and biodiverse public garden. Architects Feilden Fowles, working for the gallery, said the designs were a "comprehensive redesign" which focused on "softening" the gallery's external appearance."

"The north section will consist of a green space which "takes cues from East Asian woodland planting", and includes a water feature, event space and an expanded area for external cafe seating, according to the planning application. The proposal also includes a "garden classroom" in a timber-framed pavilion, clad in stone, for hands-on learning. It would be placed between the Tate Lodge and Clore Gallery, would act as a new learning space for schools, community groups and volunteers."

Tate Britain plans to transform its Millbank entrance by replacing existing open spaces with a large, biodiverse public garden featuring Mediterranean and East Asian-inspired planting. The south will include a Mediterranean-style garden and a natural pond, while the north will feature woodland-inspired planting, a water feature, event space and expanded external cafe seating. A timber-framed, stone-clad garden classroom will provide hands-on learning between the Tate Lodge and Clore Gallery for schools, community groups and volunteers. The proposal would remove and relocate some Grade II listed railings, reduce the lay-by, move the taxi rank, and has received mixed responses from stakeholders.

Read at www.bbc.com