Exclusive Behind-The-Scenes Video Tour Of Londons New Design Museum

Home & Design Editor Charlotte Luxford went to take a sneak peek around the brand-new £83m Design Museum in Kensington, London.
Set to open to the public on November 24, Culture Trip stepped inside the former 1960s Commonwealth Institute building to discover how it has been transformed from a Grade II*-listed relic into an important new home for the future of both British and global design.

The exterior of the former Commonwealth Institute building, now the new Design Museum

The interior was designed by architect John Pawson

From the 1,000 items on display in the Designer, Maker, User permanent collection, to Adidas trainers made from illegal fishing nets and a refugee shelter designed by Ikea for the Beazley Designs of the Year exhibition, there’s a myriad of interesting and thought-provoking objects that challenge how we should think about product design in the future.

One of the highlights shown on the video is Madeline Gannon’s ‘friendly’ robot, Mimus, that wants to play and interact with visitors in the museum’s temporary show, Fear & Love, while OMA’s Pan-European Living Room installation – a room-set made up of furniture produced in the 28 member states – reflects on Britain’s fragile relationship with Europe in the wake of Brexit.

Fear & Love exhibitor Madeline Gannon with her robot

Watch the video for more highlights and exclusive interviews with Head of Exhibitions Mark Sladen, Senior Curator Alex Newson, Deputy Director Alice Black and Fear & Love exhibitor Madeline Gannon.

The Design Museum, 224-238 Kensington High St, Kensington, London W8 6AG, opens on November 24.

About the author

Charlotte Luxford

Architecture & Design Editor

As Culture Trip's architecture and design expert, Charlotte has more than 12 years' industry experience, working for an array of national publications. Prior to joining Culture Trip, Charlotte was the editor of Grand Designs Magazine, steering the magazine in a new direction and overseeing a new look for the title. She has also worked for mass media organisation TI Media, providing content for Livingetc, Ideal Home, Country Homes & Interiors and Homes & Gardens. Charlotte has always had a passion for design and is also a qualified interior designer, having completed a diploma in her spare time. At Culture Trip, Charlotte has worked closely with institutions including the Design Museum and London Design Festival, as well as interviewing design heroes such as Thomas Heatherwick and Sir Terence Conran.