Development of the garden, 2005
The John Madejski Garden
The John Madejski Garden at night.
The John Madejski Garden was opened officially on 5 July 2005 by HRH Prince Charles to provide a refreshing, light space at the centre of the Museum for visitors to relax.
Covering an area of 2,800m², the new V&A garden scheme was a simple and traditional courtyard. Echoing the steps at the Grand Entrance, steps and ramps curved to form an ellipse, paved with red sandstone. The surrounding York stone terrace was softened by lush lawns, glass planters and the dappled shade of liquidambar trees. As a new smooth and level circulation space, overlooking the central ellipse, café-style chairs were provided to allow the visitor to choose their own spot to sit.
Designer
The John Madejski Garden was designed by Kim Wilkie a landscape architect, urban designer and environmental planner. He set up his practice, Kim Wilkie Associates, in 1989 to promote projects that explore the relationship between land and culture, community and place.
This development was completed as part of FuturePlan
FuturePlan is transforming the V&A by revitalising visitor facilities and redisplaying the collections. Using the best architects and designers, we are bringing the V&A into the 21st century and restoring modern design and innovation to the heart of the museum.
Related images from the collections
A gift in your will
You may not have thought of including a gift to a museum in your will, but the V&A is a charity and legacies form an important source of funding for our work. It is not just the great collectors and the wealthy who leave legacies to the V&A. Legacies of all sizes, large and small, make a real difference to what we can do and your support can help ensure that future generations enjoy the V&A as much as you have.
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The English Garden at Night
Intimate portraits of public and botanical gardens in England at night
Buy nowEvent - Subsidy, Patronage & Sponsorship : Theatre and Performance Culture in Uncertain Times
Thu 19 July 2012–Sat 21 July 2012
CONFERENCE: The V&A and the University of Reading are organising an international conference related to the major AHRC project, ‘Giving Voice to the Nation': the Arts Council of Great Britain and the development of theatre and Performance in Britain 1945-1995.
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