Former munitions depot to be transformed into a comtemporary art space by award-winning architect

Star architect Zaha Hadid is to design an art space for the Serpentine Gallery in a former London munitions depot.

The grade II-listed building in Kensington Gardens will exhibit contemporary art and is expected to be open to the public in time for the 2012 Olympics.

The new Serpentine Sackler Gallery will be housed in the Magazine building, which is owned by the Royal Parks and will be leased to the Serpentine Gallery for 20 years.

Mark Camley, the Royal Parks’ chief executive, said: “We are delighted to bring this unique listed building into public use for the first time, providing an exciting new cultural destination for park visitors.”

The Royal Parks invited proposals for for the structure in August last year and the Serpentine was announced as the winner of three shortlisted entries.

Hadid won the RIBA Stirling Prize for best new European building for her Maxxi Museum in Rome this year.

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