Snap! David Kohn’s V&A Photography Centre opens its doors
Launching its largest project to date, David Kohn Architects has just unveiled its work for the V&A Photography Centre, the London museum's fully redesigned galleries dedicated to the art of observation. The prestigious commission was awarded to David Kohn in 2016, and involved the reimagining of the museum's existing photography display areas, but also its extension, giving the institution's growing collection of some 800,000 photographs valuable space to breathe. The architect dully obliged, bridging in his design old and new, photography and architecture, exhibition and building design in one fell swoop.
Opening up the space by taking down existing non-supporting walls, Kohn masterfully creates three discrete spaces through spatial arrangements and colouring that do not detract, but in fact enhance the existing rooms' grandeur within the V&A's historical setting.
There's a generous gallery in a dark petrol-blue that houses shows from the museum's permanent collection (these will rotate every two years); a smaller, mustard-coloured area for new commissions and special shows, which opens with beautiful work by Thomas Ruff; and a part dedicated to new acquisitions and contemporary photography, which includes a digital wall for cutting-edge photo-art pieces.
Even the entrance landing got a refresh, with a large twin set of display cases showing off prized possessions from the V&A's camera collection. ‘Now what was effectively a landing, will become a real foyer for the Centre', says Kohn.
Kohn not only worked on the galleries' architecture, which included carefully hiding state-of-the-art lighting and systems that secure a stable environment, but also conceived a series of tailormade display cases, which are movable (the only ones in the museum with wheels) and modular, so they can adapt to each exhibition's needs.
He also worked together with the museum's curatorial team on the very first exhibition from the permanent collection, entitled ‘Collecting Photography: From Daguerreotype to Digital’, a refreshingly unusual arrangement of groupings in a chronological succession that look at a history of photography through the theme of collecting; it includes prints and some 140 cameras and other objects in a fascinating display.
This level of holistic design and an approach that encompasses different layers of space and history are key focus points of Kohn's work here. ‘We wanted to create this idea of the wunderkammer; a rich and dramatic feel that showcases the whole of the collection together', says Kohn. ‘There are so many different layers and connections between the museum and photography. This is a medium that is as old as the V&A.’
A separate room at the rear of the first gallery is aptly entitled ‘Dark Tent' and will be used for projections and special events. It is built as a separate structure within a structure, subtly referencing its environment through its shape, but also the travelling darkrooms of photography pioneers of the 19th century. Rich colours inside create an almost transportive, cinematic experience, while a side wall can be drawn back to unite this area with the gallery next door, creating a flexible, larger multifunctional space.
Opening the new space to the public this week is not the end of this exciting project. The museum is currently starting to plan the Photography Centre's second phase, which will include further expansion with more gallery areas and more space to showcase the V&A's extensive holdings in the field.
INFORMATION
For more information visit the website of David Kohn Architects
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox
Ellie Stathaki is the Architecture & Environment Director at Wallpaper*. She trained as an architect at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Greece and studied architectural history at the Bartlett in London. Now an established journalist, she has been a member of the Wallpaper* team since 2006, visiting buildings across the globe and interviewing leading architects such as Tadao Ando and Rem Koolhaas. Ellie has also taken part in judging panels, moderated events, curated shows and contributed in books, such as The Contemporary House (Thames & Hudson, 2018), Glenn Sestig Architecture Diary (2020) and House London (2022).
-
A new limited-edition Rhodes piano and Gibson doubleneck guitar aim for the stars
The new Rhodes Mk8 Earth Edition piano and Gibson Jimmy Page EDS-1275 Doubleneck guitar revisit classic instruments at a price
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
The new interior design trends we spotted at Salone del Mobile 2024
These are the interior design trends to look out for in 2024 and beyond, from soft upholstery to conversation pits and low dining
By Rosa Bertoli Published
-
Tiffany & Co nods to its theatrical history with a surreal new campaign
Tiffany & Co campaign ‘With Love, Since 1837’ sees Dan Tobin Smith and set designer Rachel Thomas create an offbeat set
By Hannah Silver Published
-
Meet the Turner Prize 2024 shortlisted artists
The Turner Prize 2024 shortlisted artists are Pio Abad, Claudette Johnson, Jasleen Kaur and Delaine Le Bas
By Hannah Silver Published
-
Dorothy Hepworth and Patricia Preece: Bloomsbury’s untold story
‘Dorothy Hepworth and Patricia Preece: An Untold Story’ is a new exhibition at Charleston in Lewes, UK, that charts the duo's creative legacy
By Katie Tobin Published
-
Sinta Tantra’s sculptures find a historic home at Pitzhanger Manor, UK
Sinta Tantra’s ‘The Light Club of Batavia’ exhibition at Pitzhanger Manor unites her large and small-scale works and explores the duality of beauty and colonialism
By Amah-Rose Abrams Published
-
Jonathan Baldock’s playful works bring joy to Yorkshire Sculpture Park
Jonathan Baldock mischievously considers history and myths in ‘Touch Wood’ at Yorkshire Sculpture Park
By Anne Soward Published
-
Kerry James Marshall donates first portrait, of Skip Gates, to Fitzwilliam Museum, UK
Kerry James Marshall's portrait of the literary critic, writer and filmmaker is his first of a real, rather than an imagined, sitter
By Amah-Rose Abrams Published
-
Turner Prize 2023 exhibition unwrapped: inside Towner Eastbourne
The Turner Prize 2023 exhibition has opened inside the colourful Towner Eastbourne; delve into the work of the four nominees
By Malaika Byng Published
-
Madelon Vriesendorp’s ‘sculptural interventions and playful ideas’ at The Cosmic House
A Madelon Vriesendorp exhibition opens at The Cosmic House in London, surprising and delighting visitors with its ‘sculptural interventions and playful ideas‘
By Will Jennings Published
-
The best London art exhibitions to see now
Your guide to the best London art exhibitions, as chosen by the Wallpaper* arts desk
By Hannah Silver Published