Past developments of the Museum building completed under FuturePlan, the V&A's continous programme of transformation. Starting in 2001, FuturePlan projects have been revitalising visitor facilities and redisplaying the collections using the best architects and designers, bringing modern design and innovation to the heart of the Museum.
Photographs Gallery
A permanent new gallery to show highlights from the V&A’s internationally renowned collection of photographs opened…
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New galleries for sculpture 1300–1600, 2010
In 2010, rooms 16a, 25 - 27 were being transformed into beautiful new spaces for the display of stained glass and E…
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Cleaning the Exhibition Road façades, 2010
In 2010, the V&A undertook a systematic clean of the Aston Webb façade on Exhibition Road, funded by generous donat…
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Development of the ceramics study galleries, 2010
The ceramics study galleries evoke a 'behind-the-scenes' experience with over 26,500 objects presented in beautiful…
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Development of Medieval and Renaissance galleries, 2009
Spanning the east wing of the Museum the Medieval and Renaissance galleries present more than 1800 objects from the…
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Refurbishment of the ceramics galleries phase 1, 2009
Opened in September 2009 by HRH The Princess Royal, the refurbished ceramics galleries are the most important natio…
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Development of the Ceramics Link Bridge, 2009
In 2009, a new fire escape was created which showcased contemporary design and fabrication. The bridge was introduc…
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Development of the gold, silver and mosaics galleries, 2009
In 2009 a generous donation and endowment from the Heather Trust allowed the V&A to re-display the Gilbert Collecti…
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Development of the buddhist sculpture galleries, 2009
The V&A's collections of sculpture from Asia are among its greatest treasures. This suite of four rooms explore the…
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Redevelopment of the women's lavatories, 2009
The Grand Entrance toilets are beautifully designed, stylish and elegant, as well as being a comfortable and well-c…
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Development of the Sackler Centre, 2008
In September 2008, the Sackler Centre for arts education at the V&A opened with generous support by the Dr Mortimer…
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Development of the William and Judith Bollinger Jewellery Gallery, 2008
In 2008, the V&A's jewellery gallery reopened after complete renovation made possible by a substantial donation fro…
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Development of the sculpture galleries, 2007
A generous lead donation by the Hintze Family Charitable Foundation funded the complete renovation of the Sculpture…
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Development of the V&A Museum of Childhood, 2006
In December 2006, the V&A Museum of Childhood reopened after the development of essential facilities for its priori…
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Development of the V&A café, 2006
In November 2006 a new suite of galleries known as the garden rooms opened alongside the original museum refreshmen…
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Development of the Islamic Middle East Gallery, 2006
The Jameel Gallery was officially opened on 18 July 2006, by HRH The Prince of Wales. The Jameel family gave the V&…
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Development of the central hall shop, 2006
In March 2006 the Central Hall was transformed into the main Museum shop, designed by Eva Jiricna.
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Development of the sacred silver and stained glass galleries, 2005
A new gallery of church silver and stained glass opened in rooms 83 and 84 on 24 November 2005. Around 300 pieces f…
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Development of the garden, 2005
The John Madejski Garden was opened officially on 5 July 2005 by HRH Prince Charles to provide a refreshing, light …
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Development of display space in room 117, 2005
Designed in-house and completed in May 2005 room 117 houses changing displays including sculpture, metalwork, ceram…
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Development of the portrait miniatures gallery, 2005
In March 2005, the V&A opened a new portrait miniatures gallery , generously funded by the International Music and …
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Development of the glass gallery, 2004
In 2004, the Märit Rausing Gallery was fully refurbished with flexible display cases for the changing displays. Th…
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The Members' Room
A calm, elegant and relaxing atmosphere where V&A Members can relax and get light refreshments, the Member's Room o…
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Development of the metalware gallery, 2004
The new Belinda Gentle Gallery shows over 200 pieces from the Museum's outstanding collections of brass, pewter and…
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Development of the architecture gallery, 2004
The UK’s first permanent architecture gallery opened in November 2004 and features highlights from the world-class …
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Development of the sculpture galleries, 2004
In 2004, the Gilbert Bayes Gallery in Room 111 was restored as an open arcade between the Cast Courts, the two spec…
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Re-opening of the Exhibition Road tunnel, 2004
In 2004, the tunnel entrance which had previously been closed off was re-opened to provide the Museum with a third …
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Development of the signage, 2004
In 2004, a new signage system was introduced to provide a consistent visual vocabulary for use throughout the build…
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Development of the prints and drawings galleries, 2003
The Julie and Robert Breckman Gallery of Prints and Drawings was formally opened in 2005 by HRH Princess Alexandra …
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Refurbishment of the paintings galleries, 2003
In 2003, the refurbished paintings galleries were reopened. Generously supported by Edwin and Susan Davies OBE, the…
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Development of the Grand Entrance and Dome, 2003
In 2003, the Grand Entrance on Cromwell Road was remodelled by inserting a paved ramp on either side of enlarged st…
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Development of the photography gallery, 2003
In 2003, a new photography gallery opened, situated in the single-storey space between the two double-height South …
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Refurbishment of the silver galleries, 2002
In 2002, the silver galleries were restored using the evidence of archive photographs and long-lost fragments. The …
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Development of the contemporary gallery, 2002-09
In 2002 the V&A opened a gallery for contemporary exhibitions demonstrating its commitment to contemporary visual c…
Read articleA 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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Sir Basil Spence: Buildings and Projects
Sir Basil Spence: Buildings and Projects critical essays
Buy nowEvent - DesignLab Teachers' Summer School
Tue 24 July 2012 10:30
4 DAY TEACHERS EVENT: Join this programme of creative activities including gallery talks, practical designing workshops and a chance to work on individual projects. You will also have opportunities to explore the V&A's collections andvisit the Museum's summer exhibitions.
Book online
