Victoria & Albert Museum Exhibition Road Quarter
London, England · 2014-2017 · Not readily available
The judgement call
Account-gated at launchInnovative structural solution: The use of a folded metal plate structure and fourteen metal trusses allowed for a large, column-free gallery space. - Minimal disruption: Construction was carried out with the museum remaining open, requiring careful planning and execution. - New public spaces: The project created a new public courtyard and entrance, enhancing accessibility and visitor experience.
Key engineering challenges
Creating a large, column-free exhibition space with a minimum floor-to-ceiling height of 5m within a densely occupied urban site. - Executing complex structural works while the existing museum remained operational. - Designing a new public courtyard and entrance that integrates with the historic fabric of the V&A. - Developing an innovative structural system (folded metal plate) to achieve stiffness and support the gallery.
Project facts
- Client / owner
- Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A)
- Lead contractor
- Mace
- Lead designers
- AL_A (Amanda Levete Architects), Arup (structural engineering)
- Project type
- new build (extension)
- Scale
- 6,400 m² of new space, large column-free gallery, steel structure with fourteen metal trusses
- Disciplines
- Architecture; Structural Engineering; Civil Engineering
- Standards & frameworks
- UK Building Regulations (implied)
Sources: https://archello.com/pt/project/va-exhibition-road; https://www.ala.uk.com/selected-projects/va-exhibition-road/; https://www.istructe.org/getmedia/c50820f2-4698-4322-b467-a94863f2b69c/28466532-5460-4D4E-9918-FD14CB8F956B.pdf; https://www.vam.ac.uk/articles/a-history-of-the-va-on-exhibition-road