Design Museum London's Time Capsule

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September 18, 2012

This morning—smack dab in the middle of the London Design Festival—Design Museum London broke ground on its new building designed by Dutch firm OMA with interiors by architect John Pawson. Britain's stronghold of contemporary international design is moving quarters from its perch on the South Bank of the Thames to the former Commonwealth Institute in Kensington, a 1960s-era concrete shell. There isn't usually much to see at a groundbreaking besides, well, a patch of ground, but Design Museum went beyond, burying a time capsule to be opened in 2112. They invited the likes of Sir Terence Conran (the museum's founder), Zaha Hadid, and Norman Foster to submit items they deem of utmost importance to our time.*

The exterior of the 1962 Commonwealth Institute (designed by Robert Matthew of Johnson-Marshall Partners) in its current state.
Exterior view of the new Design Museum by John Pawson Ltd. Courtesy of Alex Morris Visualisation Ltd.
The remarkable interior volume of the 1962 Commonwealth Institute in London, re-opening in 2014 as the New Design Museum.
Second floor of the New Design Museum, showing the Permanent Exhibition. By John Pawson Ltd.
Deyan Sudjic: London 2012 Olympic Torch prototype designed by BarberOsgerby. Courtesy of LOCOG.
Deyan Sudjic: Badoiiing game, 2012 winner of the museum’s Design Ventura competition for 13-16 year-old D&T students. Courtesy of Dominic French.
Sir Terence Conran: "Tin of anchovies." Courtesy of Dominic French.
Sir Terence Conran: iPhone 4S Courtesy of Dominic French.
Sir Paul Smith: Isle of Man, London 2012 Olympic Games Stamps designed by Paul Smith. Courtesy of Dominic French.
John Pawson: 1949 Wish Bone Chair (miniature model) for Hans J. Wegner for Carl Hansen and Son. Courtesy of Dominic French.
Thomas Heatherwick with Ingo Maurer: Standard lightbulb Courtesy of Dominic French.
Marc Newson: Mini Lockheed Lounge Courtesy of Dominic French.
Kenneth Grange: Cylinder Line Coffee Pot designed by Arne Jacobsen Courtesy of Dominic French.
The whole shebang! Follow the New Design Museum's construction process here. Courtesy of Dominic French.