Expansion of significant UK museum worth £2.7 million announced, placing it among top European institutions

The Design Museum Undergoes a Transformative Two-Year Project

The Design Museum in Kensington, London, is undergoing a significant transformation as it prepares for a £2.7 million makeover. The project, named Transformation 2029, aims to future-proof the museum for the next decade and beyond.

The museum, housed in the Grade II* listed former Commonwealth Institute building, has been a cultural hub since it moved to its current landmark home ten years ago. This transformation will see a revamped permanent gallery with a larger collection of design objects, a new main gallery design for easier exhibit and display rotation, and the addition of new technology for interaction.

The Design Museum made headlines in 2018 when it was named the European Museum of the Year, marking the first British winner since 2013. This recognition came on the heels of a successful year for the museum, which saw record-breaking attendance for its temporary exhibitions, including the World of Tim Burton exhibition, which attracted over 260,000 visitors, and Barbie: The Exhibition, which saw over 144,000 visitors.

Johanna Agerman Ross, the Conran Foundation chief curator at the Design Museum, has expressed the need for a radical change in the display and discussion of design at the museum. As part of this transformation, the museum plans to hire for a number of new roles.

If the grant is awarded from the National Heritage Lottery Fund, the project is expected to open to the public in 2029. In November, the museum will launch a new, highly anticipated exhibition - Wes Anderson: The Archives. This exhibition will showcase over 600 objects, including original sketches, puppets, and characters' costumes. The exhibition will feature a pink model of the famous Grand Budapest Hotel and Mr. Fox in his iconic corduroy suit.

The museum's dedication to innovation and creativity is evident in its ongoing commitment to providing an engaging and interactive visitor experience. This transformation is another step in the museum's journey to remain at the forefront of design and culture in the UK. Stay tuned for more updates as the project progresses.

In November, the museum will also unveil a new, highly anticipated exhibition - Wes Anderson: The Archives. This exhibition will showcase over 600 objects, including original sketches, puppets, and characters' costumes. The exhibition will feature a pink model of the famous Grand Budapest Hotel and Mr. Fox in his iconic corduroy suit. The museum's dedication to innovation and creativity is evident in its ongoing commitment to providing an engaging and interactive visitor experience. This transformation is another step in the museum's journey to remain at the forefront of design and culture in the UK. Stay tuned for more updates as the project progresses.

Expansion of significant UK museum worth £2.7 million announced, placing it among top European institutions