The V&A’s inspirational approach to engaging with the local people and young audiences has led to a transformed Young V&A. You’d be hard pushed to find an engineer that didn’t delight in playing with LEGO® when they were a child, and the Young V&A, a wonderful revision of the former Museum of Childhood in Bethnal Green, is a project that has also inspired pride and joy amongst those of our engineers that have worked on it.
Collaborating closely with architects De Matos Ryan for the base build and The AOC for the fit-out, our team carried out significant structural alterations throughout the Grade II* listed building.
The work included major changes at lower ground floor level to remove columns and create more flexible spaces, adding a new goods lift and incorporating a striking feature staircase in the main ground floor hall. These enhancements were pivotal in supporting the museum's new vision, creating spaces that are both sophisticated and playful. Jenny Waldman, Director of Art Fund, praised the Young V&A, stating, “The Young V&A has done something completely rare, it’s completely reimagined the museum. It started with its target audience and then fit all the pieces of the museum – the building, the collection, display, interpretation, exhibitions, learning – around that central focus of young people. It’s the world’s most joyful museum.”
The integrated approach of the teams and detailed planning were crucial in delivering what was a complex refurbishment. Originally built in 1857 in South Kensington and relocated to Bethnal Green in 1872, the building required careful analysis and thoughtful design solutions to avoid overloading the historic building fabric while allowing it to function for a new generation of children, including with much improved accessibility and visitor flow. Our team ensured the structural adaptations were sympathetic to the original iron frame and brick enclosure.
The museum’s new exhibition spans all galleries, featuring installations and interactive exhibits. The project transformed a building that had been previously described as "place where childhood went to die" into a light, airy, and thoroughly child friendly environment. The Observer lauded it as "serious and playful at once, sophisticated and direct."
Lisa Nandy, the new Culture Secretary, congratulated the museum, saying, “This year’s Art Fund Museum of the Year was a tough competition with an exciting shortlist representing institutions from across the country. Congratulations to the Young V&A on this achievement, recognising their hard work to create a unique space dedicated to young people.”
The competition for the award was fierce, including from The National Portrait Gallery, which we also had the pleasure of working on with Jamie Fobert Architects.
Reflecting on our role in both the Young V&A and the National Portrait Gallery projects, it is gratifying to see how our engineering solutions contributed to such wonderful spaces that are rightly celebrated for their design and functionality. The success of the Young V&A underscores the importance of thoughtful structural engineering in creating environments that are not only functional but also inspiring and joyful.
