V&A sets its sights on expansion—again

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.