Design Museum in London, one of world’s leading, to undergo £2.7 million expansion

The Design Museum in Kensington, London, has announced a major revamp of its permanent gallery. The project comes as the museum prepares for its 40th anniversary in 2029. It will invest £2.7 million to expand and modernise its displays.

The project, known as Transformation 2029, aims to enhance the visitor experience and ensure the museum remains relevant in an era of rapid changes in design and technology.

Project factsheet: Transformation 2029

• Funding Plan – The project is supported by a £2.7 million investment, with a grant application of £2,700,752 submitted to the National Heritage Lottery Fund. A preliminary award of £267,249 has already been secured.

• Permanent Gallery Expansion – The current gallery, ‘Designer, Maker, User’, will be completely redesigned to allow greater flexibility for rotating exhibits and new displays.

• Visitor Accessibility – Entry to the renewed gallery will remain free, reinforcing the museum’s commitment to open access.

• Technological Enhancements – Interactive digital features will be introduced to allow visitors to engage more directly with the collections.

• Timeline – The development is expected to take two years, with a projected completion date ahead of the museum’s 40th anniversary in 2029.

• Job Creation – New roles will be advertised as part of the expansion, creating opportunities in curating, education, and museum operations.

• Cultural Significance – The project builds on the museum’s recognition as European Museum of the Year in 2018, the first British winner of the award since 2013.

• Architectural Setting – The museum is housed in the Grade II* listed former Commonwealth Institute building, adding heritage value to the redevelopment.

• Future Exhibitions – The upgrade will complement high-profile exhibitions, such as the upcoming Wes Anderson: The Archives, opening in November 2025.

Why Design Museum’s expansion matters

According to museum director and CEO Tim Marlow, the expansion is a vital step towards “future-proofing the museum for the next decade and beyond.” He explained that the redesigned gallery will help showcase how design responds to changes in how people live and work.

Chief curator Johanna Agerman Ross said the Designer, Maker, User display has served the museum well since 2016. However, Ross noted it no longer reflects the evolving nature of design in society.

The project also arrives at a time when the museum has experienced record-breaking visitor numbers. Exhibitions like The World of Tim Burton attracted 260,000 visitors. Likewise, Barbie: The Exhibition welcomed 144,000 guests. Together, they proved the strong demand for diverse design content. Now, the Wes Anderson showcase is expected to draw similar crowds. It will feature more than 600 objects. These include sketches, puppets, costumes, and a pink model of The Grand Budapest Hotel.

A strong future for design in London

This expansion strengthens the Design Museum’s position as a hub for creativity and innovation in Europe. The museum blends historic architecture, modern exhibitions, and a renewed gallery to inspire designers, students, and visitors. As 2029 approaches, the transformation shows a bold commitment to keeping design accessible, engaging, and relevant.

The Design Museum’s Transformation 2029 project is not the only major infrastructure milestone in the UK this year. Recently, the Colne Valley Viaduct, the UK’s longest railway bridge, was officially completed. Stretching just over two miles, it connects HS2’s London and Chiltern tunnels and stands as a landmark achievement in British engineering.