A museum dedicated to design in all its forms, from fashion and graphics to architecture and transport, occupying a converted warehouse on the Thames’s south bank.
At a glance
The Design Museum surveys contemporary and historical design practice across six disciplines. Its collections and exhibitions explore how design shapes daily life and culture.
History
Sir Terence Conran founded the museum in 1989 within a former banana warehouse on the Thames’s south bank. The building was designed by Conran & Partners, later known as Conran Roche. In 2016, the museum relocated to Kensington High Street in the Holland Park district.
What you see
The museum’s architecture reflects twentieth-century and contemporary international style. The original Thames-side space was thoughtfully adapted from industrial use, while the current Holland Park location continues this approach to design-conscious spaces.
Cultural significance
Since 2003, the Design Museum has conferred its Designer of the Year award, recognizing outstanding projects across architecture, products, graphics, digital design, fashion, and transport. The award programme affirms design’s role in shaping culture and innovation.
Key facts
- Address: 224–238 Kensington High Street, London
- Founded: 1989
- Founder: Sir Terence Conran
- Architects: Conran & Partners (later Conran Roche)
- Website: designmuseum.org
- Phone: +44 20 7403 6933
- Coordinates: 51.4998973, −0.2002440
Practical information
Opening hours and admission fees are available on the official website. The museum hosts regular exhibitions and events; check designmuseum.org for current programmes and visitor details.
Getting there
The Design Museum is located at 224–238 Kensington High Street in Holland Park, central London. Public transport and parking information can be found on the museum’s website.
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