Moxon
A grand, arched hallway with a modern art installation featuring a sleek, wave-like structure. The sculpture's glossy surface reflects light from the ceiling's large windows, blending classic architecture with contemporary design.
V&A Contemporary Gallery

V&A Contemporary Gallery

London, England

2006

Client   Victoria & Albert Museum
Buildings · Culture & Leisure
In summer 2006 we were shortlisted to design the new Contemporary Gallery at the Victoria and Albert Museum in South Kensington, London. Working in conjunction with COWI (Engineers) and Speirs and Major (Lighting Designers) the proposal is a sleek insertion into an existing gallery immediately adjacent to the museum entrance.The brief called for a sealed box that could house changing exhibitions of contemporary design whilst also providing an exciting spectacle from various vantage points in the museum.
A minimalist room with white walls, a glossy black ceiling, and dark reflective floor tiles. The space is illuminated by overhead spotlights, casting soft light on the walls, creating a sleek and modern atmosphere.
A large, bright indoor space with a high, arched ceiling and large windows. The floor appears to be a reflective, undulating surface resembling liquid, creating distorted reflections of the architecture.
A large art installation featuring a smooth, reflective black surface flows like a wave through an elegant, classical gallery with tall arches and a skylight ceiling.

The design has a crafted and tailored internal black roof, modelled to accommodate high-level views across the gallery space. The highly reflective, undulating surface sets up a dialogue between the rich details of the existing Victorian architecture and the smooth, sensuous and shiny geometry of the new addition.

Entry to the gallery is through a new volumetric lobby, comprised of offset layers of translucent polycarbonate. These act as a series of back-projection screens for graphics and moving images that change with each exhibition.

A silhouette of a person walks toward a brightly lit corridor with vertical slats on one side. The scene is in black and white, creating a stark contrast between light and shadow.
Black and white image of an architectural structure featuring two tall pillars supporting an ornate facade with a lattice design. Behind the pillars are modern, wavy wall panels creating a dynamic contrast with the classical elements.
Partners
Structural engineer
COWI
Lighting
Speirs and Major

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