FuturePlan

The V&A is embarking on one of UK's most significant museum projects of the decade: a landmark and visionary project to revolutionise how our collection is experienced by our visitors. V&A East Storehouse will be a public hub for the V&A's vast collections. Opening in spring 2025 at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford, east London, it will offer an immersive visitor experience, bringing together state-of-the-art object storage and care facilities with learning spaces, galleries and stunning displays.

Designed by Diller Scofidio + Renfro, the 16,000m2 Storehouse will be home to over 250,000 objects, 350,000 library books and 917 archives which were previously stored at Blythe House in Kensington Olympia. It will be the heart of the V&A’s world-leading family of sites including South Kensington, Young V&A (reopening 2023), V&A Dundee, and the new V&A East Museum (opening spring 2025).

A constantly evolving hive of activity, no two visits to the Storehouse will be the same. Visitors will view conservation-in action, take an interactive self-guided tour through curated display spaces, enjoy live performances and immersive events, fuel their own creativity in our studios and maker spaces, and get up-close to star objects and archive materials in our study rooms.

The V&A is undertaking a transformative project to create a new world-leading gallery for the appreciation of one of the most important collections of South Asian art and design outside of India.

Opening in autumn 2027, this ambitious project will re-present the permanent collection, creating an intellectually rigorous gallery and compelling activity programme. The project will have a far-reaching benefit, connecting and engaging with a new generation of British, global and diasporic communities by sharing the diversity of cultures in South Asia through the lens of art and design.

For the first time since 1990, transformed displays, state-of-the-art lighting, new interpretation, and discreetly integrated audio-visual technology will reshape the visitor experience, making it accessible to the broadest possible audience. The display will include a grand narrative exploring South Asian artistic production and its cross-cultural influences around the world. Alongside this, there will be smaller in-depth displays drawing attention to under-represented narratives. The number of objects on display will increase by approximately 200 and for the first time, the display will include modern and contemporary South Asian art and design practice. New pioneering curatorial research will inform how the V&A displays the collection honestly and transparently, acknowledging the complex collecting practices and wider histories of colonial rule embedded in its foundation. Meanwhile an extensive programme of activities and events will activate the collection in meaningful ways, to form a relevant and inspiring resource for all.

FuturePlan is transforming the V&A. Through this programme of renewal we have revitalised the displays, researched and conserved the collections, clarified the layout and restored much of the building's original grand architecture, as well as undertaking visionary new projects.

FuturePlan is almost entirely funded by private donations and is succeeding thanks to the extraordinary commitment of our supporters. If you would like to get involved, please contact the Development department. We would be delighted to discuss how you can help FuturePlan restore and redesign the V&A.

We are also seeking funding to support the other activities that make the V&A a world-class centre of excellence and learning in art and design. You can support our programmes that relate to education, acquisitions, conservation and research.

Find out the latest news from the wide range of FuturePlan projects being carried out around the V&A by architects, designers and leading Museum experts.