Competition Shortlist for V&A Exhibition Road Announced

The Victoria and Albert Museum in London has announced that seven architectural practices have been invited to submit proposals for the Museum’s Exhibition Road development.

The shortlisted companies are:

• Amanda Levete Architects (London)
• Heneghan.peng.architects (Dublin)
• Jamie Fobert Architects (London)
• Jun Aoki & Associates (Tokyo)
• Michael Maltzan Architecture (Los Angeles)
• Snøhetta (Oslo) & Hoskins (Glasgow)
• Tony Fretton Architects (London)

Over 110 architectural teams from all over the world expressed interest in being considered for the project. A jury, chaired by V&A Trustee, Steve McGuckin chose the seven practices based on their response to the design brief and previous work. The jury also comprised Sir Mark Jones, Director, V&A, Paul Ruddock, Chairman of the V&A Board of Trustees and Chief Executive of Lansdowne Partners Ltd, David Adjaye, V&A Trustee and Director, Adjaye Associates, and Moira Gemmill, Director of Projects and Design, V&A.

The Exhibition Road project will provide a purpose built new gallery in which to present the V&A’s high-profile program of temporary exhibitions, a courtyard set within the beautiful historic facades of the V&A’s Grade 1 listed buildings and a new entrance on Exhibition Road through the Aston Webb screen. The new gallery will be below street level with a courtyard above that will house a café and be used for installations and events.

The project is part of the V&A’s ongoing FuturePlan to transform the Museum and will contribute to the development and semi-pedestrianisation of Exhibition Road led by The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.

The shortlisted architectural teams will now be asked to develop detailed design proposals for the site. The winner of the competition will be selected by the jury in the spring.