Search for V&A museum contractor to start next year

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Concept design for the Museum of Childhood, under De Matos Ryan's proposals.

Source: Pillar Visuals

V&A Museum of Childhood - winning proposal by De Matos Ryan, showing the second, ‘equal’ entrance beneath the Caruso St John entrance pavilion

V&A Museum of Childhood - winning proposal by De Matos Ryan, showing an early concept of the kaleidoscope staircase, windows to the basement and restored roof

The grade II* V&A Museum of Childhood in Bethnal Green, east London

Source: Google Maps

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The search for a contractor to carry out the De Matos Ryan-designed upgrade of the V&A Museum of Childhood in east London is set to start early next year.

Museum bosses said work on the scheme – which was recently approved by Tower Hamlets council – would get under way towards the end of 2020.

Gardiner & Theobald is set to act as project manager for the construction phase of the project.

The job will include building a new entrance, an upgraded learning centre and a kaleidoscope-inspired feature staircase in the grade II* institution’s main hall.

De Matos Ryan beat a shortlist including Heneghan Peng, Jestico & Whiles, Pringle Richards Sharratt, conservation specialists Simpson & Brown Architects and Opera Amsterdam to the Bethnal Green job in a competition last year.

It is the “base build” architect for the proposals, which also include internal renovations to improve the building’s lighting, acoustics and heating.

AOC Architecture is currently working up linked proposals for three new gallery interiors as part of the scheme, which has a total value of £13.5m.

The V&A said it expected to be able to unveil AOC’s concept designs for the new gallery space early next year.