Past Display Ran from 6 May 2017 to 7 January 2018

Designing the V&A

The fascinating history of the V&A's buildings, from the 1850s until the present day

Through original drawings and photographs, this display highlighted the artists, designers and engineers who created the V&A, charting the building's transformation from the 1850s to today, culminating with the opening of the Exhibition Road Quarter.

Display Highlights

The Green Dining Room, opened in 1868. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London
The South Court reused as an RAF canteen during the Second World War, about 1942. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London
The Sackler Courtyard, Victoria and Albert Museum, Amanda Levete Architects (AL_A), 2017
Design for an illustrated alphabet tile, Godfrey Sykes, 1864, England. Museum no. 729:1-28. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Design for a tower and museum extension on Exhibition Road after Henry Cole, 1868. Museum no. E.2034-1921. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Design for the decoration of the lecture theatre front, Godfrey Sykes and Francis Fowke, about 1864 – 65. Museum no. D.930-1899. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Henry Cole, Francis Fowke, Godfrey Sykes and John Liddell in front of the residences range, photograph possibly by Charles Thurston Thompson, about 1863. Museum no. E.1086-1989. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Designs for the decoration of the Oriental Courts (detail), Owen Jones, 1863 – 64. Museum nos. D.120-1905 & D.121-1905. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London
View of the South Court, probably Isabel Agnes Cowper, about 1886. Museum no. E.1103-1989. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London
The Sackler Centre for arts education at the V&A, designed by Softroom, 2008. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Design for 'Fruit' wallpaper, William Morris and Philip Webb, 1862, England. Museum no. E.299-2009. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London
The Victoria and Albert Museum with scaffolding, Louis Weirter, 1906, England. Museum no. D.655-1906. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

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