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Diller Scofidio + Renfro Just Unveiled London’s Most Exciting New Museum

BBG News

Summary

  • Diller Scofidio + Renfro designed the V&A East Storehouse in London, transforming a former 2012 London Olympics broadcast center into a museum space.
  • The V&A East Storehouse is designed to display the museum’s extensive collection, housing over 500,000 objects, including 250,000 objects, 350,000 books, and 1,000 Archives.
  • The Storehouse functions as both a display and a working space, featuring conservation studios with public viewing areas and an “Order an Object” system for visitors.

The V&A Museum recently revealed its eagerly anticipated Storehouse branch situated in East London, showcasing a design by architects Diller Scofidio + Renfro. This innovative layout provides an opportunity to exhibit the museum’s extensive treasure trove of artifacts.

Starting this coming Saturday, May 31st, V&A East Storehouse is set for its grand public unveiling. Spanning across four expansive levels, it’s roughly equivalent to the area covered by over 30 basketball courts. Previously serving as a broadcast center during the London Olympics in 2012, this space has since undergone a metamorphosis at the hands of Diller Scofidio + Renfro, now transformed into a repository for an astounding 250,000 artifacts, 350,000 books, and 1,000 archives.

David Allin, Principal at Diller Scofidio + Renfro, stated that instead of the traditional separations between storing and exhibiting, preserving and showcasing, behind-the-scenes and public areas, V&A East Storehouse blends these functions in a unique way.

As a gamer, I found myself stepping beyond my usual boundaries in this project. Curators transformed into knowledgeable storage specialists, while the technical crew took on the role of creative exhibition designers. On my end, I, an architect, discovered the intricacies of collection management.




















Instead of exploring the museum’s collection via organized exhibits, the Storehouse offers visitors a rare glimpse behind-the-scenes. Upon entering the building, they find themselves in a spacious atrium that houses a branch of the popular E5 Bakehouse cafe and various workshop areas.

Located just a few steps up and concealed behind sturdy metal doors, the building, often referred to as the Weston Collections Hall, may not be immediately apparent from ground level. Inside, you’ll find an expansive space arranged around a central atrium, beautifully lit by a long line of ceiling-hung light panels.

Six significant artifacts, hidden away for many years due to their size and intricacy, are now being displayed, serving as the foundation for the exhibition area. Among these are the 1930s Kaufmann Office, a unique Frank Lloyd Wright interior that is the only complete one outside of the United States; an architectural piece from Robin Hood Gardens, a former residential complex in Poplar, east London; and the world’s largest Picasso work, measuring over 10 meters high and 11 meters wide.

Visitors are welcome to explore the vast collection at their leisure in the store. Instead of being confined to a guided tour, they can walk around freely. Moreover, they have the convenience of reserving items online using the “Order an Object” system. Notably, the most sought-after item thus far is a 1954 evening dress by Cristóbal Balenciaga, as mentioned by the museum.

A significant appeal of visiting the Storehouse lies in the fact that it is not just a tourist attraction, but an active workspace. Within its walls, team members are engaged in their tasks at four modern, multi-purpose conservation studios. A transparent glass overlook provides visitors with a glimpse into the ongoing activities.

Elizabeth Diller, Founding Partner at Diller Scofidio + Renfro, expressed delight about collaborating with the V&A’s curators and conservators in establishing a unique type of establishment: not just a warehouse or museum, but rather a blend that is accessible to both staff and the public, offering increased possibilities for interaction and knowledge exchange.

The V&A East Storehouse opens to the public this weekend, with the V&A East Museum opening in 2026.

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2025-05-28 20:56

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