Following a long search for larger premises to expand its activities, in 2008 the Design Museum selected the former Commonwealth Institute building in Kensington High Street, West London, as its new home. This unique landmark from the 1960s, a Grade II listed building that had stood vacant for over a decade, will be transformed by a design team led by John Pawson who will make the building fit for a 21st century museum, while at the same time retaining its unique spatial quality. 

The Design Museum Kensington will be the world’s leading museum of contemporary design and architecture, an international showcase for the many design skills at which Britain excels and a creative centre, promoting innovation and nurturing the next generation of design talent.

The first exhibition from the museum’s Chief Curator, Justin McGuirk, is Fear and Love: Reactions to a Complex World. Fear and Love is about our hopes and doubts about the pace and impact of change.

For the first time in the museum’s history it will have a free permanent display. Designer Maker User tells the story of contemporary design through these three interconnected roles using the museum’s collection. A wall at the entrance to the gallery will feature some of the world’s most popular affordable consumer goods, crowdsourced from the public via the museum’s website - suggestions are open.

The Design Museum will be closing at its current site on 30 June 2016 and will relocate to the former Commonwealth Institute building and open on 24 November 2016.