John Pawson’s design for the new design Museum displays the spirit of minimalism. The calm approach contrasts the theatrical swooping building, making it a distinctive architectural structure. John Pawson’s design approach has been commended by the judges as the design does not clash with the existing iconic structure. Pawson will also work on the ‘delicate’ external cladding.
The Design Museum wanted the winning architect to preserve the building’s essential characteristics including the paraboloid roof. The admin wing at the museum will be demolished and three cube-like new buildings will house the Design Museum shop and cafe, with 62 luxury flats.
Design Museum is a small museum, with exhibitions over two floors. After years of search, the museum selected London’s iconic Commonwealth Institute as its larger house. The RMJM-designed former Commonwealth Institute building features a unique parabaloid roof or ‘tent’, which will be retained as part of the redevelopment.
