The distinctive roof of the building is a Grade II* listed structure, originally completed in 1962.
The museum’s permanent collection, 'Designer Maker User', includes over 1,000 items of 20th and 21st-century design.
The building’s central atrium features a massive oak-lined staircase designed to resemble a piece of furniture.
The original location of the museum was near Tower Bridge in a converted 1940s banana warehouse.
The site was formerly home to the Commonwealth Institute, which included a permanent exhibition of the cultures of the Commonwealth nations.
The current site is owned by the Kensington and Chelsea London Borough Council and was renovated by OMA, Allies and Morrison, and Arup.
The museum archives contain thousands of items, including original prototypes and design drawings, often accessible by appointment.
The design of the building’s interior is heavily influenced by minimalist architecture principles.
The Design Museum is the world’s leading museum devoted to contemporary design in every form, from architecture and fashion to industrial and graphic design. Located in a repurposed 1960s Commonwealth Institute building, the museum is defined by its massive, hyperbolic paraboloid copper roof. It features the Designer Maker User permanent exhibition, which explores the relationship between those who create, those who manufacture, and those who use design products. The museum was founded in 1989 by Sir Terence Conran and moved to its current Kensington High Street location in 2016. It serves as a research hub with a dedicated library and archive for design professionals and students. The interior architecture by John Pawson centers around a dramatic oak-lined atrium. Rotating temporary exhibitions focus on global trends, historical movements, and innovation pioneers. The building also houses a public auditorium and learning spaces for workshops. It is a non-profit institution and a registered charity.
The view from the top of the central atrium stairs looking down through the oak-lined interior.
Visit the top floor permanent collection first to get an overview before exploring temporary exhibitions on lower levels.
Check the museum website in advance to book specific time slots for popular blockbuster exhibitions.
Visit the museum shop for unique items, as it is considered one of the best curated design retail spaces in London.
Do not attempt to view the entire museum in under an hour, as the detailed information on the permanent displays requires time to absorb.
Photography is permitted for personal use, but flash and tripods are prohibited in exhibition spaces.
