Willmott Dixon Interiors spent almost a year creating the interior of the new Design Museum at the former 1960s Grade 2 listed building Commonwealth Institute in Kensington. The new entrance, shown here, is spacious and airy.

Some of the cultural icons include the first laptop by UK designer Bill Moggridge, an AK47 assault rifle by Russian designer Mikhail Kalashnikov, and road signs by typographers Jock Kinneir and Margaret Calvert. The world-class space aims to be a new cathedral of design showcasing how it makes a difference to the quality of life of people.

The fit-out work covered six floors from lower basement up to a second floor, based on a design brief by architects John Pawson and OMA.

The Design Museum opens its doors in Kensington to the public on 24 November after moving from Shad Thames. The new home provides three times as much space as its former location, allowing it to expand its exhibitions and cater for over 650,000 visitors per year who enter free of charge.