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

This display is now closed at V&A South Kensington

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.
South Court as RAF canteen. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London.
Sackler courtyard. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London.
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, South Kensington Museum, 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
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
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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