Digital Editions
Newsletters
Subscribe
Digital Editions
Newsletters
Art market
Museums & heritage
Exhibitions
Books
Podcasts
Columns
Technology
Adventures with Van Gogh
Art market
Museums & heritage
Exhibitions
Books
Podcasts
Columns
Technology
Adventures with Van Gogh
Victoria & Albert Museum
archive

V&A sets its sights on expansion—again

New plans for developing the former 'Spiral' space

Martin Bailey
31 August 2007
Share

The Victoria and Albert Museum is considering plans for developing the space (outlined right) which was to have been occupied by the Spiral, the £70m Daniel Libeskind-designed scheme which was dropped three years ago, because of fundraising difficulties. The idea of the new building is still at an early stage, and no briefs have gone out to architects. Nevertheless, museum trustees have identified it as the next major project after the Medieval and Renaissance Galleries, which are due to open in November 2009. The former Spiral space, in Boilerhouse Yard, would provide for three main needs: a large temporary exhibition space with modern facilities, a gallery for 20th- and 21st-century design, and a fashion and textile gallery. Talks are also taking place about the possibility of the Design Museum moving to the V&A site, to share Boilerhouse Yard. However, it is not clear whether there would be the necessary space for both institutions. In 1981, the Design Museum started life on V&A premises, before moving to its present home just beyond Tower Bridge in 1989. Another option would be for the Design Museum to expand its Thameside building.

Victoria & Albert MuseumDesign Museum, LondonMuseums & Heritage
Share
Subscribe to The Art Newspaper’s digital newsletter for your daily digest of essential news, views and analysis from the international art world delivered directly to your inbox.
Newsletter sign-up
Information
About
Contact
Cookie policy
Data protection
Privacy policy
Frequently Asked Questions
Subscription T&Cs
Terms and conditions
Advertise
Sister Papers
Sponsorship policy
Follow us
Instagram
Bluesky
LinkedIn
Facebook
TikTok
YouTube
© The Art Newspaper

Related content

Victoria & Albert Museumarchive
30 April 2009

V&A proposes underground galleries

Exhibition space will occupy area originally designed for abandoned Spiral project

Martin Bailey
Victoria & Albert Museumarchive
30 April 2002

Victoria and Albert Museum plans £150 million radical rethink of the displays

Among the first tasks to be tackled is the complete refurbishment of the Medieval and Renaissance Galleries.

Martin Bailey
Victoria & Albert Museumarchive
1 May 2011

Designer basement extension on the cards for the V&A with new donation pledge

The museum extends down, not up with new plan that is largely below street level and much less expensive than the failed Spiral

Martin Bailey
V&A Eastarchive
1 November 2014

Will the Chancellor back V&A’s Olympian vision for a cultural quarter?

Art and design museum with space for London’s biggest exhibitions could open by 2020, subject to funding

Martin Bailey