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Exhibition Road Quarter

The Exhibition Road Quarter by AL_A presents a new porcelain covered entrance that transforms how visitors experience and discover the V&A museum and its collections.

The Exhibition Road Quarter, designed by AL_A, is the largest construction project undertaken by the V&A since its main buildings in South Kensington were completed in 1909 under the direction of Sir Aston Webb. The project has transformed the former boiler house yard on London’s great cultural artery, Exhibition Road, to create a sequence of major new spaces that will redefine the V&A’s relationship with the street and the public.

Img.1 AL_A, Exhibition Road Quarter, London, 2017

Img.2 AL_A, Exhibition Road Quarter, London, 2017

Img.3 AL_A, Exhibition Road Quarter, London, 2017

Img.4 AL_A, Exhibition Road Quarter, London, 2017

Img.5 AL_A, Exhibition Road Quarter, London, 2017

Img.6 AL_A, Exhibition Road Quarter, London, 2017

Img.7 AL_A, Exhibition Road Quarter, London, 2017

470_ Proposed Site Plan 2500

AL_A, Exhibition Road Quarter, site plan

V&A Exhibition Road Quarter Entrance Floor 1_500 B

AL_A, Exhibition Road Quarter, ground floor plan

V&A Exhibition Road Quarter Long Section

AL_A, Exhibition Road Quarter, long section

V&A Exhibition Road Quarter Short Section B

AL_A, Exhibition Road Quarter, short section

AL_A, Exhibition Road Quarter, diagrams

The renovation project features a porcelain public courtyard, paved in 11,000 handmade tiles that were inspired by the rich tradition of ceramics at the V&A. The Exhibition Road Quarter presents a new entrance that transforms how visitors experience and discover the museum and its collections. It also feature the Sainsbury Gallery, a hyper-flexible, 1,100 sqm column-free exhibition gallery that provides the V&A for the first time with a purpose-built space for its world-leading programme of temporary exhibitions.

Img.8 AL_A, Exhibition Road Quarter, London, 2017

Amanda Levete said: “We have reframed the relationship between Exhibition Road and the Museum, creating a less formal, more public place that is as much of the street as it is of the Museum. It will attract and welcome in new audiences, making ideas of accessibility and democracy very explicit. This Quarter reimagines the museum as an urban project. The new courtyard creates an exceptional place for London – a destination for installations, events and, above all, for appropriation by the public.”

Img.9 AL_A, Exhibition Road Quarter, London, 2017

Exhibition Road Quarter, London
Program: museum extension
Architect: AL_A – Amanda Levete
Project director: Alice Dietsch
Project architect: Matt Wilkinson
Design team: Ho-Yin Ng, Maximiliano Arrocet, Alex Bulygin, Blandine Plenard, Chiara Zaccagnini, Fernando Ruiz Barberan, Filippo Previtali, Giulio Pellizzon, Matthew Riley, Michael Levy, Michael Wetmore, Patrick Drewello, Peter Angrave, Peter King, Raffael Petrovic, Robert Rice, Rumen Stefanov, Song Jie Lim, Stefano Bertotti, Stephen Citrone, Win Assakul
Engineering: Arup
Lighting designer: DHA designs
Contractor: Wates
Historic building adviser: Giles Quarme & Associates
Quantity surveyor: Aecom
Planning consultant: DP9
Completion: 2017