V&A East Storehouse

The V&A East Storehouse redefines what a museum interior can be — transforming the idea of a private archive into a living, cultural experience. Designed by Diller Scofidio + Renfro and delivered by Bond Bryan alongside McLaughlin & Harvey, the 16,000m² facility represents a world-first hybrid of public archive, immersive visitor experience, and working museum infrastructure.

At 16,000m², the V&A East Storehouse is a world-first hybrid of public archive, research centre, and working museum infrastructure. The interiors are designed to house over 250,000 objects, 350,000 books, and 1,000 archives, spanning every discipline from fashion and sculpture to architecture and digital media.

The spatial design prioritises transparency and inclusivity — encouraging the public to experience collections once hidden from view. A vast, 360-degree collections hall forms the heart of the interior, allowing visitors to circulate through towering displays of artefacts, materials, and objects.

As delivery Interior architects, the focus was on realising this intricate vision with precision — translating curatorial and technical requirements into a seamless, accessible interior environment that supports conservation, research, and public engagement.

The Storehouse sets a new standard for cultural interiors, replacing the static idea of a museum store with an active, visible, and participatory experience. Every spatial layer is designed to promote connection — between visitor and object, between researcher and artefact, and between the V&A and its wider audience.

Public areas blend with working environments, conservation studios, and archives, reflecting a new kind of openness. Visitors are invited to explore behind the scenes — to understand not just what the V&A holds, but how it preserves and studies it.

The building plays a central role in the cultural regeneration of East London, acting as a creative anchor for the new East Bank district. Its design embraces the spirit of collaboration, innovation, and transparency — key principles driving the next chapter of the museum’s evolution.

While new-build in form, the project embraces the principles of adaptive reuse and sustainable museum practice. As part of the wider regeneration of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, the building has been developed with long-term flexibility in mind — allowing for future curatorial change, evolving object care standards, and increased digital integration.

Bond Bryan’s retrofit-informed technical strategy ensures efficient building services, climate-controlled environments, and optimal energy use across the facility. The seamless integration of large-scale collection items — including architectural fragments and historic interiors — required bespoke spatial planning and material solutions to meet both conservation needs and environmental targets.

The project is aligned with BREEAM and British Standards for cultural facilities, supporting the V&A’s commitment to responsible stewardship and sustainable public infrastructure.