Earlier this year, in a bold attempt to forget Snøhetta + Spence’s waveform vision for Margate, KCC made the decision to entrust David Chipperfield Architects with the design for the Turner Contemporary.

Upon their appointment, the firm, known for their understated brand of modernism, announced they could have the gallery open by 2010 on a budget of £17.4m. With this in mind, we decided to comment on some of their previous projects and make a suggestion or two as to what we might expect for Margate.

America’s Cup Building
Valencia, 2006

One of Chipperfield’s most recent buildings, the America’s Cup Building was designed, built and opened in staggeringly short 11 months. The building’s setting is much alike the Turner Contemporary’s – so we can see what might crossover to Margate.

The America’s Cup Building is constructed from steel, concrete and glass; the seafront location of the Turner Contemporary means it will likely use similarly robust materials. Also notice that the main building is raised up from it’s exposed position on the water’s edge. I rather expect we will end up with something more solid and less open air since the respective uses and climates are so different in these cases.

Estepona Theatre
Estepona, Spain, 2009

Chipperfield’s sweeping design for the Estepona Theatre wouldn’t look out of place along side the modernist houses at Palm Bay.
Chipperfield despises insular buildings that have no “dialogue with anything around them, or with history” – so there is the strong possibility of a restrained building that spreads out and makes use of other elements of the site.

It is a happy accident that KCC, determined to commission an iconic building for Margate, have appointed an architect who sensibly opposes building architectural “icons” for the sake of it.

“I’m not purposely avoiding making an icon. An icon just happens… Clients now say that they are looking for an icon, and I know that means it has got to look blobby… Design objects of the 20th century became icons because of how beautiful they were or how successful they were. Now we have to have an instant icon. It has to say it’s an icon at the very point of delivery.”

Chipperfield’s buildings are the antithesis of the waveform architecture trend – they create buildings of restraint, purpose and elegance.

In a twist of fate Margate has found a man level-headed enough to understand the importance of doing it right.

“I think that the point of being an architect is to help raise the experience of everyday living, even a little… None of this means designing funny shapes or getting politicians to go ‘wow’ or making the media think you’re the new thing. It takes a lot of patience, a lot of experience, and a lot of unfashionable thought”.

Through David Chipperfield, Margate will get a beautiful, impressive (and dare we say it, iconic) building to be proud of.

Read more of our sources at:
The Guardian : “In Britain, money and marketing are what matters most”
Icon: David Chipperfield
David Chipperfield Architects
City Of Sound: Chipperfield on Building for Regeneration

The group of artists known as Limbo, who have hosted shows at their Substation Project Space since 2003, are inviting artists to be involved in their next humour-themed show, “Stink Bomb”.

“Stink Bomb” launches on April 1st and promises to “engage with the audiences’ sense of humour while acknowledging and exploring the way that jokes and art create the fear of being the butt of the joke or not getting it”.

The show is open to all artists living and working in the UK. Check out their website for further information and details of how to submit work.

The theme of this show bares a strong similarity to the position that Margate finds itself. Beneath the criticism of cultural regeneration, there is a worry that Margate is the “butt of the joke” - somehow art is a sick joke thrust upon it. It’s not true. Art is a force for good and for prosperity. An active local art community can dispel the fear and strengthen the message that art isn’t always elitist or confusing – its something that normal people from Thanet do.

I read a comment that “artistic & cultural movement starts at the bottom up” – it’s true! Consider this your call – lets prove that this artistic groundswell exists, that we can change our town. If you live in Margate, or are looking at Margate as somewhere to start a project… a group… an event… a band… a magazine…a film… a gallery… a business: lets get to work.

Dreamland Workshed, Margate, 2006

Hidden within the body of the Scenic Railway, this musty workshed continues to house these spectacular railway trains. They seem to have worn well over time, the carved heads even looked as if they had been recently painted.

In an article written for The Guardian, Iain Aitch explains his connection with the railway (and gives some interesting background to days gone by in these sheds).

“My grandfather worked at Dreamland for 30 years, starting in catering and finishing up in charge of ride maintenance. When I was about nine years old, it dawned on me that he had what must be the most exciting job in the world. Of course, he spent most of his day up to his elbows in grease and had to carry out dangerous tasks atop tall ladders (once taking a nasty fall and nearly killing himself), but every morning, before the crowds arrived, he got to do a test run on the Scenic Railway. I had long been impressed by his abilities as a storyteller and knew that he worked as an engineer at Dreamland, but this piece of knowledge took him to new heights in my eyes. Who needed a Neil Armstrong or a James Hunt to admire when you had a Bill Sedgwick?”

Read the rest of Iain’s article on The Guardian website.

At six yesterday evening, the switch was flicked and the last instalment of Turner Contemporary’s Arrivals series burst to life.
TURN. to colour, the latest work of Maltese artist, Norbert Francis Attard consists of painted doors and windows along the pier, and a one off light installation that appeared to paste the vivid colours onto the black night sky, making visible that which is seen by day. I was impressed.

By now it is too late to enjoy the light installation, but the spectrum of colours (themselves inspired by Margate and Turner’s paintings) will remain – as the official write-up suggests, “the economy of this gesture is captivating – redefining the pier as a focal point for the town”.

It will be interesting to see how this work is received by the town. The commission was well worth the effort; the pier looks far nicer (dare I say, very attractive), but it’s sad that we had to wait until now to see the pier kept to a respectable standard.

Might I suggest that we retain some element of the light installation as a permenant feature? Given the right treatment, the pier could become an impressive icon for the town.

Find out more about Norbert Attard at his website.
Read more about the work at Turner Contemporary

Welcome to “Turneround Margate“! I work in the ‘creative industries’ and live in Margate and I’m passionate about the redevelopment of Margate and Thanet through the encouragement of art and culture. “Turneround Margate” (pun intended) will chart the progress of Margate’s redevelopment and act as a centre for discussion and debate for Thanet’s art community.

Last year I worked full time in the Margate Exodus art-department, and witnessed at first hand the difference that an active art community could make to our surroundings. This will not be a passive blog – I envision it taking an active role in promoting and organising art throughout the area.

So with this said, lets get the ball rolling and turn around Margate. The town deserves it.

Got something to say? Comment on posts, or drop us a line. If you have an idea for a post, or share our passion and would like to write for us, get in touch.