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.
Furniture Gallery
Major new galleries to present the V&A's outstanding British and international furniture from the 15th century to the present day. The Furniture Galleries focus on question…
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Renovation of Fashion galleries, Room 40
A major renovation of Room 40 has revealed the historic features of the gallery. First opened in 1909 and known as the Octagon Court, the gallery added a spacious domed cou…
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The Lydia and Manfred Gorvy Lecture Theatre
The V&A’s magnificent Victorian lecture theatre was originally completed in 1869 and forms part of the V&A’s Grade I listed building status.
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Photographs Gallery
A permanent new gallery to show highlights from the V&A’s internationally renowned collection of photographs opened autumn 2011, considerably extending the space dedicated …
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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 European sculpture dating from 1300 - 1600AD.
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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 donations from a number of supporters, including The Wolfson F…
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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 new visible storge displays. They celebrate the unrivall…
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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 Museum's outstanding collection to tell the story of Eur…
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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 national and international centre for the enjoyment, understan…
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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 introduced following refurbishment of phase 1 of the ceramics gal…
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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 Collection of breath-taking objects in the fields of English and …
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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 images of the Buddha Sakyamuni, together with associated…
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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-considered facility. In 2009 the entrance to the toilets w…
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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 and Theresa Sackler Foundation. Housed in the Henry Cole…
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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 from Mr and Mrs William Bollinger. An endowment was provided…
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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 galleries, which opened in July 2007.
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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 priority audiences of schools and community groups.
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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 refreshment room. These spaces house serveries offering hot meals, …
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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&A a substantial donation to transform its Islamic Middle …
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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 from the national collection of silver, from spectacular m…
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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 space at the centre of the Museum for visitors to relax.
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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, ceramics and glass. The space comprises four alcove cases wit…
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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 Art Foundation. The V&A has the national collection of Br…
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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. The gallery shows the V&A's spectacular collection of conte…
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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 offers. There is a lower seating area with sofas, a mezzan…
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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 cutlery dating from 1400 to the present day. It includes…
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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 collections of the V&A and RIBA. Around 160 architectural…
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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 spectacular galleries that house plaster casts of European ma…
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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 entrance, giving visitors access from the public subway t…
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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 building. All the old signs were removed to make the spaces fe…
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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 following a generous gift from Julie and Robert Breckman.…
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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, there are five galleries, situated at the northern end of a …
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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 steps and the Grand Entrance and Dome was greatly improved …
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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 Court galleries. Previously a retail outlet, the space wa…
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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 highly decorative 19th-century interior of the galleries,…
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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 culture. The original flexible space designed by Gareth Ho…
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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The School Prints: A Romantic Project (Hardcover)
This beautifully produced book tells the story of "The School Prints Series". It was dreamt up towards the end of WW2, when Brenda R…
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