Young V&A
Young V&A
The Young V&A (formerly the Museum of Childhood) is a museum created with 0-14-year-olds as a place for young people to imagine, play and design, and be inspired by a collection of 2000 toys, characters, objects and artworks from around the world and throughout history.
The building that houses the Young V&A is a superb example of a mid-Victorian iron and glass building and is listed Grade II. We first worked with Caruso St John in 2004-7 as engineers and conservation advisors on a phased programme of repairs and improvements. The gallery spaces and teaching areas were refurbished, and a number of outstanding maintenance issues were addressed. The final phase of work was the construction of a new entrance building. The structural engineering design makes important contributions to the architecture. A key feature of the ground floor is the exposed roof beams made up of steel fins that create a strong visual pattern of light and shade. In the basement the concrete columns and slabs are exposed, as are the concrete walls in the external courtyards. These were polished on site to allow the special black aggregate to be revealed.
Throughout the project we had to work closely with the museum to understand the brief and to discuss options to limit the impact of the works on the running of the museum and its exhibits. We initially produced a Conservation Management Plan to set out the historical development of the museum, define its different levels of significance and put in place polices to protect that significance.
We then worked closely with AOC Architecture in 2020-23 as conservation advisors on a new fit-out scheme that significantly improved the potential and enjoyment of the main galleries. The project involved improving circulation, introducing new lower ground spaces, and improving the visitor experience and look and feel and the galleries by working with audiences and experts to develop new ways of displaying the V&A’s collections. We prepared a Heritage Statement to accompany the successful application for listed building consent as part of this scheme, which was completed in 2023 to great acclaim.
Awards
Art Fund Museum of the Year 2024 - Winner
Civic Trust Awards Regional Finalist (Greater London) 2024
"Every space here has been used carefully and thoughtfully...like a gateway drug to the parent museum, an idea that these things are there for our enjoyment, for free - and there is always plenty more. More open, public and enjoyable than ever, it looks like a whole load of fun."
- Edwin Heathcote, writing in the Financial Times, 2023
Client: Victoria and Albert Museum
Architect: Caruso St John; andAOC Architecture