Learning LONDON DESIGN FESTIVAL
Audio Described Sensory Tour: The Architecture of the Design Museum
Celebrate London Design Festival 2024 and discover the fascinating story of the museum building, in this group tour for visitors who are blind or visually impaired and their companions, led by guide Poppy Levison.
What to expect
The architectural firm RMJM was commissioned to design a building to house the Commonwealth Institute, which opened on this site in 1962. The activities of the Commonwealth Institute ceased in 2003 and the unique landmark Grade II* listed building stood vacant for over a decade, before being transformed by John Pawson’s design team, who made the building fit for a 21st century museum.
From the magnificent hyperbolic parabola rooftop to unique spatial qualities and lesser-known features and attributes, the tour fosters a deeper understanding and appreciation of this very special structure.
This tour forms part of the London Design Festival, which celebrates and promotes our city as the design capital of the world. The 22nd edition will take place from 14 – 22 September 2024.
Facilitator
Poppy Levison
Levison’s lived experience as a blind woman gives her a particular expertise in the politics of inclusive design, architecture’s tendency to fixate on the visual, and the accessibility of architecture education. She is a Part 1 Architectural Assistant at DSDHA, design researcher and disability activist. She regularly speaks on subjects around disability and the built environment.
Book Online
Booking information
• Pre-booking is required as places are limited
• Please ensure you only book if you plan to attend and please cancel your booking in advance if your availability changes
• Suitable Age 12+. Children under 16 must be accompanied by a responsible, ticket holding adult
• Please note that your building tour ticket won't allow access to ticketed exhibitions
• Pay-What-You-Can supports visitors who might find the standard ticket price a barrier.
• Tickets are non-refundable and non-exchangeable. Visit our Terms & Conditions page for further information.
In collaboration with London Design Festival
London Design Festival was launched by Sir John Sorrell CBE and Ben Evans CBE in 2003. Building on London’s existing design activity, their concept was to create an annual event that would promote the city’s creativity, drawing in the country’s greatest thinkers, practitioners, retailers and educators to a deliver an unmissable celebration of design.