The V&A has revealed a new look at the design of its upcoming V&A Storehouse as construction of the new building ends, and it begins its largest ever collection move.
New designs from architects Diller Scofidio + Renfro show a four-storey Collections Hall at the heart of a working collection store, which visitors will be able to explore.
Inside the building will be conservation labs, working stores, research and reading rooms with galleries, display and performance spaces and creative studios.
Around a quarter of a million objects are to be moved into the new space, alongside 1,000 archives and 350,000 books from the V&A’s collections.
Objects currently being moved into the upcoming attraction include ancient Egyptian shoes, Naomi Campbell’s 1990s Vivienne Westwood platforms, early 20th century West African robes and costumes worn by Charlie Chaplin and Sir Elton John.
It will also house the David Bowie Centre for the Study of Performing Arts.
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This follows its acquisition of the David Bowie Archive from the David Bowie Estate, funded by a £10m donation from the Blavatnik Family Foundation and Warner Music Group earlier this year.
The collection move is expected to take over 12 months to complete.
Tim Reeve, Deputy Director and COO of the V&A, said the V&A East Storehouse “transforms access, maximises transparency, and removes barriers to the creative riches within the world’s leading collection of art, design and performance.”
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, added: “This is a significant milestone in the development of East Bank at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.”
The V&A East Storehouse is set to open in spring 2025.
