London's Design Museum has recently relocated in its new home-Kensington and the museum has stated that it welcomed 100,000 visitors after just four weeks. Design Museum opened to the public in November 24, 2016 and the relocation of the museum was a big jump from Shad Thames, where it had been since the late 1980s. 

''‘It’s enormously encouraging to see the museum attracting so many visitors. We always believed that there was a big audience for contemporary design and architecture. After being closed since the summer, it’s great to have such an enthusiastic audience coming in such high numbers,'' said Deyan Sudjic, Director of the Design Museum.

Housed in a landmark grade II* listed modernist building from the 1960s that has been sensitively retuned by John Pawson, the project is the culmination of a five-year construction process. The museum has now tripled to 10,000sqm from its previous premise in Shad Thames, south-east London. Following an investment of £83m, the structure has been transformed for its future role as the world’s leading institution dedicated to contemporary design and architecture.

After its opening, the museum announced two new appointments. Lord Mandelson is appointed as the new Chairman of the Board of Trustees. He will replace current Chairman, Luqman Arnold in March 2017. Alice Black, Deputy Director of the museum, will become Co-Director with Deyan Sudjic.

''The Trustees are delighted to announce these appointments. Peter Mandelson’s wide experience of both the political and business worlds together with his passion for design will be of enormous benefit to the museum. Alice Black has been an outstanding Deputy Director with particular responsibility for the delivery of this building project on time and on budget. The Design Museum is in a secure position with an exciting future,'' said Chairman Luqman Arnold.

Lord Mandelson said: ''To take over as chair of the Design Museum as it starts this huge new chapter in its life is very exciting and a great outlet for the love of design I have nurtured all my life. I want the museum not only to be a warm, interesting place to visit but also a means of promoting first rate design in industry, services and public policy. Luqman Arnold will be a hard act to follow. The new Museum stands as a permanent tribute to his endeavor together with Deyan Sudjic, Alice Black and, of course, Sir Terence Conran.''

''The Design Museum is fortunate to have had such a committed and effective Chairman as Luqman Arnold who has served as Chair of the Board of Trustees since 2005. For more than ten years his enthusiasm and diplomacy have allowed the museum to flourish. Without him we would not have been able to make the transition to our new home. Thanks to his leadership and generosity, we are able to welcome the public to what we are confident will be the leading institution of its kind,'' added Director Deyan Sudjic. 

''The world of contemporary design and architecture is in his debt. I personally owe him for the unique opportunity that I have had to lead the museum. I would also like to acknowledge the vital and generous part Johannes Huth, the Deputy Chair for the last 5 years, has had in steering the project to completion. We are equally fortunate at this important moment in Luqman Arnold’s successor. Lord Mandelson’s enormous experience and his commitment to design will be a vital help to us as the museum develops its plans for the future. For me personally, the appointment of Alice Black a Co-Director is a wonderful development. We have worked together for over nine years and so much of our current success is due to her outstanding talent and ability.''

Top image © Gareth Gardner 

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