There's never been a shortage of culture in London, but with these three new museums on the horizon, our fair city is about to become a museum metropolis.
The Design Museum
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The Design Museum Kensington aims to be the world’s leading museum of contemporary design and architecture, a showcase of British designers, and a creative centre that nurtures the next generation of design talent. When it opens on Nov. 24, it will have three times the space of its original location at Shad Thames. The building itself is a Brutalist block on Kensington High Street, which will be transformed to a modern superstructure.
OMA is responsible for the overall master plan and is working with Allies and Morrison for the exterior refurbishment. The developer is a JV between Chelsfield LLP and the Ilchester Estate.
The Natural History Museum
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The Natural History Museum announced plans for a major new entrance upgrade and an extension. The plan submitted by London-based Niall McLaughlin Architects and landscape firm Kim Wilkie will feature a wildlife garden, public plaza and new subterranean space for exhibitions. It will also include improved access for disabled visitors. The museum’s famous diplodocus, nicknamed Dippy, will be moved outdoors to terrorise the locals. The works are scheduled to be completed by 2020.
Museum of London
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Stanton Williams and Asif Khan won the international competition to find an architect to design the Museum of London’s new home at Smithfield. The vision for the new museum encompasses a contemporary design with a strong recognition of the physicality of the West Smithfield site. The early concept includes a massive dome to allow for a light-filled entrance, spiral escalators, flex spaces that can be used as a centre for meetings and a tranquil garden. The next step is working with stakeholders to finalize a design. A planning application will be filed in 2018, and the new Museum of London will likely be delivered by 2022.
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