Dame Sylvia Crowe Garden Free display
Dwellings, Rehomed
Visit our garden and explore a vibrant collection of birdhouses by some of London’s most innovative designers. Responding to the challenge of reimagining the humble birdhouse, the display brings together a feast of materials, shapes and concepts. Each creates a space for our feathered friends to live in, and for humans to reflect upon.
What to expect
Birdhouses enable the co-habitation of people and birds. Unassuming and beautiful, these objects usually allow close observation of these fascinating creatures. But ultimately, in urban areas they are artificial sanctuaries attempting to replace the birds’ shrinking natural habitats.
About 600 species of birds have become extinct due to human activity, especially habitat destruction.
Dwellings, Rehomed responds to the themes of the More than Human exhibition. With approaches ranging from the functional to the poetic and from the utilitarian to the sculptural, each birdhouse manifests human empathy with other species.
Seventeen birdhouses imagined and crafted by visionary designers are displayed in the garden, inviting you to immerse in nature and explore the space to find them all.
Dwellings, Rehomed is the progression of the Dwellings project, originally conceived by Computer Room and Flock Together in collaboration with Open AREA in 2024.
Birdhouse, Dwellings, Rehomed display, museum garden
Birdhouse, Dwellings, Rehomed display, museum garden
Birdhouse, Dwellings, Rehomed display, museum garden
Contributors
Jamps Studio
Calum Stevens
Charlie Humble Thomas
Christie Swallow
Daniel Schofield
Dharma Taylor
Freya Bolton
George Baggaley
Georgia Kemball
Jaclyn Pappalardo
Jana Spence
Jane Wright
Jesse Crabtree Butterfield
Oliver Hawkes
Sam Wills & Lira Valencia
Tessa Silva
Partners
Computer Room
Computer Room is a research-oriented design collective forging new narratives within material culture. Founded by Andu Masebo, Jesse Crabtree Butterfield & Charlie Humble-Thomas in 2023, their goal is to expand the discourse around material culture by creating physical artefacts and spaces, with a common interest in problematic aspects of society and industry. With each member having their own personal practice, their collective work brings different perspectives and ways of making things together under one roof.
Flock Together
Flock Together is a bird-watching collective that brings creativity to nature. Started in 2020 by Ollie Olanipekun, the community quickly became the driving force behind a global outdoors movement where marginalised groups were taking up space in nature.
Read more about the Design Museum Garden
Initiated in partnership with the Design Age Institute in 2021, Growing Together explores design and horticulture as catalysts for positive social change and nurtures community connections in response to the planetary emergency.
'Growing Together' engages local residents to share stewardship of the Dame Sylvia Crowe garden at the Design Museum. The garden was named in memory of the pioneering landscape architect who designed the landscaping for the Commonwealth Institute in 1962.
Plan your visit
Visit information
No pre-booking is required.
The display is free and open to the public following the museum's opening hours.
The Dame Sylvia Crowe Garden is located at the back of the museum building – follow the path on the right-hand side of the Main Entrance to the museum around the building. If you need any assistance, please ask a member of staff.
Please note that the garden is divided into two levels. The ground level is wheelchair accessible, but the upper level is accessed by stairs and unsuitable for wheelchairs. We apologise for this barrier.
What's On
Background image: Adan Farías.