V&A Museum of Childhood to close for two-year AOC redevelopment
by Andy Knaggs | 21 Feb 2020
Creating an "unforgettable first museum experience for children" is the aim of the V&A Museum of Childhood in London, which has announced it will close in May 2020 for a two-year, £13m (US$16.9m, €15.7m) transformation by AOC.
The museum said the "reimagination" of its collections, galleries, building and public programme will turn it into a "world-leading centre of creativity for children".
Creativity is a major theme for the planned renovation, which it is hoped will help the institution "champion the role of creativity on the school curriculum and nurture the next generation of artists, designers, makers and innovators".
A new 125-person capacity performance stage will be the centrepiece of the museum's daily programme of family activities and present a platform for children to perform their own shows. Meanwhile, the main hall at the museum is to be reimagined as "The Town Square", making it a more inviting and social space, said the V&A.
This design will also see new learning studios, a new "Kaleidoscopic" staircase for the Town Square, improvement of the museum's facilities, and enable essential updating of the infrastructure.
AOC is aiming to create a museum that is filled with natural light, vibrant colour and playful multi-sensory environments.
Planning permission and Listed Building Consent was required for the base-build scheme, which has been developed by De Matos Ryan.
V&A Museum of Childhood London AOC De Matos Ryan
AOC's interior design aims to fill the museum with natural light and vibrant colour Credit: V&A Museum of Childhood
Exhibits will be shown amongst a playful multi-sensory environment Credit: V&A Museum of Childhood
23 Mar 2019
V&A Museum of Childhood interiors to be designed by AOC
03 Dec 2018
Lower entrance fees at UK galleries and museums for younger visitors, urges former V&A director
Creating an "unforgettable first museum experience for children" is the aim of the V&A Museum of Childhood in London, which has announced it will close in May 2020 for a two-year, £13m (US$16.9m, €15.7m) transformation by AOC. The museum said the "reimagination" of its collections, galleries, building and public programme will turn it into a "world-leading centre of creativity for children". Creativity is a major theme for the planned renovation,
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