Commonwealth Institute Could House Design Museum

Dean Nicholas
By Dean Nicholas Last edited 183 months ago
Commonwealth Institute Could House Design Museum

In a languorous reminiscence, the Evening Standard's architecture critic runs through his childhood memories of the Commonwealth Institute and considers its future plans for development. Nothing new there – as we reported one year ago, the aging, long-closed structure is due for a makeover at the hands of Rem Koolhaas' OMA. Among the verbiage, though, are some mock-ups of the development plans, alongside the suggestion that the Design Museum is considering the Institute as its new home. We're fans of the DM, yet its current Shad Thames location, while an excellent space, is ill-served by public transport. A move Kensington way could give it a whole new line of visitors while letting it play the young upstart to the more staid institutions down on Exhibition Road.

Last Updated 18 December 2008