The Design Museum in London has announced ambitious plans for a major expansion of its permanent collection gallery, aiming to complete the project in time for its 40th anniversary in 2029. The museum has secured £267,000 from the National Lottery Heritage Fund to develop its expansion concepts and plans to apply for an additional £2.7 million in funding to bring these ideas to life.
Chief Curator Johanna Agerman Ross expressed her enthusiasm for the project, stating she has "ambitious ideas" for the collection of primarily 20th and 21st-century design pieces. However, she emphasized that "we have no concrete plans, the process starts now," indicating that the museum is in the early stages of planning this significant undertaking.
The museum's impressive collection contains 4,500 items, including recently acquired treasures such as a first edition 1959 Barbie doll, the original iPhone and iPod, and an iconic 1964 road sign designed by Jock Kinneir and Margaret Calvert. The Design Museum relocated to its current home in Kensington, west London, in 2016 from its previous location in a former banana warehouse near Tower Bridge.
As part of the development process, which will last up to two years, the museum plans to engage with its audience to understand "how people want to see it (the collection) displayed." Agerman Ross noted that they "really hope that we will be able to give more room to the contemporary collection," suggesting an increased focus on modern design pieces.
The expansion plans come during a record-breaking year for the museum. The World of Tim Burton exhibition drew 260,000 visitors, making it the most visited show in the museum's history. Additionally, Barbie: The Exhibition attracted more than 144,000 people, ranking as the museum's third most popular exhibition ever.
The museum has set ambitious goals beyond the physical expansion. They aim to increase annual visitor numbers to 800,000 by 2029 while nurturing future designers and highlighting design's crucial role in the transition to net zero emissions. The institution also wants to use design to showcase major technological developments and address contemporary challenges.
The proposed changes to the Grade II-listed building in Holland Park are designed to provide greater flexibility in how the museum operates. The new gallery will allow staff to rotate collections more frequently, display new acquisitions more quickly, and change displays rapidly "to tell new stories." This adaptability will enable the museum to showcase major developments in technology and design "with ease and without being outdated too quickly."
Tim Marlow, Director and CEO of the Design Museum, emphasized the strategic importance of this initiative. "Expanding and improving our permanent gallery for our 40th anniversary is at the heart of our new Transformation 2029 strategy to future-proof the museum for the next decade and beyond," he said. Marlow also expressed gratitude for the initial funding support, stating, "We are delighted to have received this initial support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, and thanks to all those who contribute to the National Lottery we can now develop these exciting opportunities further."
