The Design Museum at Shad Thames closed in June 2016 and moved to its new location in Kensington High Street in Nov 2016. Its new home is the former Commonwealth Institute in Holland Park. I was very keen to see how this building, which was opened in 1962, had been remodelled to accommodate the Design Museum. I visited The Commonwealth Institute in the early 70s. It contained a permanent exhibition about the nations of the Commonwealth and information about how the Commonwealth operated. My impressions of the building remained with me as a huge space that was difficult to fill.
The building had become derelict in recent years due to the enormous cost of extensive modernisation and it was eventually sold in 2002. Major funding contributions from Arts Council England, the Heritage Lottery Fund and Sir Terence Comran meant that the building would be saved and brought to life again. It also means that for the first time access to the Design Museum will be free. It has taken four years to complete the work giving the Design Museum three times more exhibition space as well as more areas to extend its learning programme. So come inside and see what you think.
As you enter the building you are confronted by this large open space giving you glimpses of the roof.
There are balconies overlooking the foyer.
A large stairway takes you up to the galleries.
Before entering the main gallery there is a display of everyday objects nominated by members of the public because they are important or special in some way.
Other items that caught my eye included this piece of felt. This is what's left after tennis balls have been cut out.
With my interest in the Underground then this map has to be my favourite design.
Very cool place to visit! I would love to have the chance to be there. Thanks for telling me about it. :-)
ReplyDeleteIs this the white box or is that different? Looks cool. We didn't have time on our last visit...
ReplyDeleteLove the idea behind your blog, btw.
ReplyDeleteWow! What a beautiful museum and delightful photos ~ thanks,
ReplyDeleteHappy Week to you ~ ^_^
What an interesting museum. I have never thought about how tennis balls are made. I guess they start with cutting out the felt.
ReplyDeleteWonderful shots from the museum.
ReplyDeleteWell, if you had asked me about that felt, I would never have guessed it was for tennis balls. Something so ordinary makes something so ordinary, yet for some reason we don't recognise the left-over ordinary.
ReplyDeleteI had visit the old one several times but know I have to visit the new one. Thanks for your comprehensive overview.
ReplyDeleteHello, I like the modern building, very pretty. Looks like a great exhibit and museum. Great post and photos! Have a happy day!
ReplyDeleteWell, that is interesting.
ReplyDeleteWorth a Thousand Words
What an interesting building. I think I might have to check it out
ReplyDeleteMollyx
It's an interestingly designed building so I'm glad it was rescued and very apt it now houses the Design museum. The underground map is so different now!
ReplyDeleteIt looks very nice and open ! There is a lot to see ! Like the felt where the Tennis balls have been cut out looks very special !
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely, light and open building space. I love the London Underground, too. It's so efficient. The routes and Oyster card make it so easy to use compared to other systems. We accidentally went 50 blocks out of the way recently in New York -- no way to tell beforehand -- ha ha!
ReplyDeleteLots of airy space and exhibit areas. A very nice renovation. The tennis ball felt cutout was interesting. Wonder why someone chose that.
ReplyDeleteThis is all so interesting. It seems they've done a good job of designing the space -- and it would be terrible if they hadn't -- you really couldn't have a Design Museum in a poorly designed space now could you?
ReplyDeleteAn interesting space with equally interesting exhibits. I love joining you on your rambles. Thank you
ReplyDeleteImpressive - it's a good thing when a building like this can be put to good use.
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