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Libraries, museums and bookstores: Design Museum

Opening Hours

10:00 – 17:00 Monday to Thursday
10:00 – 18:00 Friday to Sunday

How to get there ?

Design Museum
224-238 Kensington High Street
London W8 6AG

The 4 tube stations closest to the Museum are:

  • Kensington High Street
  • Holland Park
  • Earl's Court
  • South Kensington

About the Design Museum

The museum was founded in 1989 by Sir Terence Conran, an English designer, restaurateur, retailer and writer. It originally opened its doors in a converted banana warehouse in Shad Thames. The architect of the first building was Stuart Mosscrop of Conran Roche, who had created the shopping centre at Milton Keynes a decade before. The interiors were designed by Paul Williams and Alan Stanton, also of Conran Roche. It was notable for its white walls, marble floors, generous balconies and glass-brick walls which let in lots of light. The museum was opened by Margaret Thatcher on 5 July 1989. 

In 2008, the museum, after looking for larger premises for a long time, selected the 1960s building in Kensington High Street, West London, as its new home. The Grade II listed building had stood vacant for over a decade. The new museum was designed by John Pawson, a British architectural designer, OMA and Allies and Morrison. The new museum opened to the public in November 2016

The missions of the museum are to :

  • To build public awareness of design by connecting design with people’s lives and passions
  • To reflect the designer’s role at the forefront of social, technological and environmental change
  • To serve the design community. Design is a practice, a diverse discipline, infinitely rich in approaches and characters. It is a young discipline, whose role in the world is evolving. Our unique approach to working with designers is to invite them to ‘think in public’ with us

Exhibitions

The World of Tim Burton

25 October - 21 April 2024

This major exhibition will invite visitors into his world through an exploration of the design of his unique aesthetic. While most well-known for his cinematic work, this show will display the full extent of his production as an illustrator, painter, photographer and author, as well as exploring key collaborations with designers.

Exhibition Page

Press Release

Barbie®: The Exhibition

5 July 2024 – 23 February 2025


A major exhibition exploring the design evolution of one of the world’s most famous dolls: Barbie®. Journey into the Barbie universe and discover over 250 remarkable objects, with rare, unique and innovative dolls dating from 1959 to the present day.

Discount Code

MarangoniBarbie

Workshop

Students and staff 20% off workshops
Workshops Access Code :  
Marangoni