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Admittedly I haven't seen the building in progress, but I went to an exhibition held at the site two or three years ago in which Chipperfield's early designs were presented not long after the Snohetta debacle. The exhibition made quite an impression on me, as the plans and images were so rough... I thought it was great, I really got the feeling that rather than trying to wow everyone with an unachievable image, the team was quietly and slowly working with the site and the program, with the aim of making an un-iconic but thoughtful building. I for one am looking forward to going back to Margate to see it when it opens. And saying that the town cowers in its shadow seems a little odd, Margate has never struck me as the cowering sort...