V&A East Storehouse, London
Innovative renovation for the Victoria & Albert Museum’s conservation centre
The Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A), one of the world’s leading museums of decorative arts, has been undergoing a major transformation for almost 20 years. It is developing a new, innovative and immersive collection and research centre project designed to offer professionals and the general public unprecedented access to the institution’s very rich collections.
Artelia UK is managing the project, which involves rethinking the way in which the collections can be stored, cared for and explored.
- Victoria and Albert Museum
- London (UK)
- 2018-2025
- Project management
16,000 m2
dedicated to conservation and discovery
250,000
objects
350,000
books
CONTEXT & ISSUES
Following a major overhaul of its exhibition spaces, the Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A) has launched two twin construction projects in London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. One of them, the V&A East Storehouse, aims to offer a new way of conserving and showcasing collections, of which, as in all museums, only a small part is on exhibition.
This new centre is naturally dedicated to the conservation of collections. The future 16,000 m2 building will house more than 250,000 objects, 350,000 library books and 1,000 archives. But it will also offer an entirely original museum experience (self-guided tours, temporary exhibitions, shows, screenings, etc.), aimed at explaining why the objects are collected and how they are cared for, conserved and exhibited. There will also be a workspace, laboratory and research facilities for students, researchers and professionals.
With its extensive experience in building and developing historical heritage, Artelia is delighted to be contributing to this original project, which is at the cutting edge of museum innovation.
Credits : Diller Scofidio & Renfro