The Design Museum’s first exhibition in its new Kensington home - curated by Justin McGuirk – will be 'Fear and Love: Reactions to a Complex World'. Additionally, for the first time ever it will have a free permanent display.

Thinking big

Acclaimed designer John Pawson is currently remodelling the interior of the Grade II* listed former Commonwealth Institute building, in a project that will increase the museum’s size threefold, enabling a significantly extended learning programme and a greater range of exhibitions.

[quote=Deyan Sudjic, Director of the Design Museum]“This move will redefine the Design Museum as the most inspiring, exciting and engaging contemporary design and architecture museum in the world.”[/quote]

Deyan Sudjic, Director of the Design Museum, said: “This move will redefine the Design Museum as the most inspiring, exciting and engaging contemporary design and architecture museum in the world.”

Vital National Lottery investment

The redevelopment has been supported thanks to nearly £5million from HLF and £3m from Arts Council England. 

Head of HLF London, Stuart Hobley, said: “Thanks to money raised by National Lottery players we are delighted to support this ambitious project which celebrates how design impacts on every aspect of our life today.”

Terence Conran, founder of the Design Museum, added: “We are about to move from Shad Thames to new, bigger premises in Kensington, where all our dreams and ambitions to create the best and most important design museum in the world will become a step closer to reality. It will make my long lifetime in design absolutely worthwhile."

The Design Museum’s current site in Bermondsey will close to the public on 30 June. Its final event will be Weekend Punk, a two-day celebration of the influence and legacy of punk design, which is part of the year-long HLF-supported Punk London festival.