The museum is proud to announce that proposals for the interior structure and its hours of operations, when it moves to the former Commonwealth Institute, can now be seen online on the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea’s website.

Plans combine respect for building's significant heritage and lay the foundations for its vibrant future, creating an amazing new home for design and architecture in the UK. The museum is at a very exciting stage in the process of creating its new home - bigger, better and more welcoming than ever - more Design Museum, more of the time!

The proposals that have been submitted will be reviewed by the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea’s planning officers and they are very keen to have some feedback from the wider general public – they want to know how you feel – and this will directly affect their decision. So check out the two planning applications now
Reference LB/11/03340 (interior structure)
Reference PP/11/03333 (opening hours)

Comment directly on the RBKC website: RBKC

Send your comments to planning@rbkc.gov.uk quoting the reference number in the subject line

If you think that the new Design Museum matters – get involved – take part in the debate about this important cultural project now.

A bit more detail:
the first planning application - Reference LB/11/03340 - shows the museum's principles for reconfiguring the interior of the building to accommodate the museum's and its visitors’ needs – that’s the better Design Museum. Specifically, this application focuses on determining the location and size of the openings on the first and second floor slabs, creating an additional opening on the second floor, creating a mezzanine level to replicate the original dais and creating a new basement. These changes will preserve stunning internal views of the distinctive 'swept' roof and will improve the quality of access in the public spaces. The museum is working with English Heritage to ensure that the remodelled interior maintains the essential qualities of the original architecture. The new museum will reflect the building's history of innovative educational activities and exhibition display.

Alongside these beautiful interior plans - the museum is asking for an extension of the museum’s opening hours to the public – application reference PP/11/03333. That’s more of the Design Museum. For those who see themselves enjoying the museum after hours in the bar, members’ room, restaurant, attending the busy schedule of evening talks – this application is doubly important. Without extended opening hours the museum won’t be able to offer the programmes and exciting opportunities for enjoying the new facilities. So if you want to see the new Design Museum alive after 10pm (or indeed new Design Museum at all) you should definitely register support for this application.

So act now to support the new Design Museum. Anyone, whether they live in the borough or not, can respond to the proposed plans. There’s only one month for opinions to be registered until 18 November 2011.

Email or post your feedback quoting the reference numbers to:

Robert Lancaster, Planning Case Officer, Planning Team North
Planning and Borough Development Department
Ground Floor Town Hall Hornton Street, W8 7NX
T 020 7361 3012 (planning line)
E planning@rbkc.gov.uk quoting the reference number in the subject line

Don’t hesitate to contact Sara Ayres sara@designmuseum.org if you need more information.

Lastly, the museum is not scheduled to move for a few years yet so do come and visit at the current location at Shad Thames, a short stroll from Tower Bridge. An exhibition charting the remarkable design career of Sir Terence Conran opens 16 November.

If you would like to make a suggestion or comment about the museum's move you can always post something on the new Design Museum's project website. Just select whether you want to upload text, photo, link or video. Encourage other people to sign up for these email updates on the project.
If you have specific questions on the project contact Sara Ayres, Audience and Participation Officer at the museum sara@designmuseum.org.