Development of the V&A Museum of Childhood, 2006

The Museum of Childhood in Bethnal Green

In December 2006, the Museum of Childhood reopened after the development of essential facilities for its priority audiences of schools and community groups. The improvements continued the implementation of the interpretative strategy which began previously with the redisplay of the upper galleries and which was rolled out to the mezzanine galleries.

Specific improvements to the Museum included:

• The construction of a stylish, welcoming new entrance which would enable groups to move more freely, easing congestion at peak times
• A new gallery, located within the foyer dedicated to displaying art work and installations from the Museum's community programme
• The construction of a lift near the entrance foyer so that all levels of the Museum were fully accessible
• The re-configuration of the north basement to create lunchroom, cloakroom and toilet facilities
• A new Learning Centre which doubled the capacity for school groups and create a designated space for community art and craft workshops

Designer

The V&A Museum of Childhood worked with local East End architects Caruso St John who had also worked on previous development  at the Museum of Childhood and were widely respected for their award-winning work on Walsall Art Gallery.