Gus Casely-Hayford, V&A East Director, describes the new V&A East Museum as a welcoming and inclusive space created with the community in mind. Located in east London, the new museum will reflect the place's multiculturalism and aim to celebrate creativity. 

Scheduled to open on 18 April 2026 on East Bank in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, the museum seeks to bring people together, spark conversations, and highlight how artists and makers are using their creativity to enact positive change in the world. 

The hope is that visitors will find joy and a sense of belonging upon entering, according to Casely-Hayford.

The 6,420-square-metre museum, designed by Dublin and London-based architecture firm O’Donnell + Tuomey, will allow visitors to explore the V&A’s world-renowned collection alongside contemporary art, design, and performance.

The new building will feature innovative exhibitions, gallery displays, events, and activities, as well as spaces for community-led projects, installations, and creative collaborations. Additionally, it will include a café, a shop, outdoor spaces, and stunning views over the park.

Spanish fashion designer Cristóbal Balenciaga was well-known for his inventive ideas and exquisite craftsmanship, which helped to establish modern fashion. In 2017, the V&A hosted a significant exhibition celebrating his work that focused on Balenciaga's use of the Japanese notion of "Ma," which means "the space in between." By framing rather than restricting the body, his tailoring produced a sculptural relationship with space.

This concept has significantly influenced the design team’s vision for the new V&A East. Similar to Balenciaga’s creations, the exterior of the new V&A building resembles a three-dimensional "folded dress," giving the museum a unique shape and striking identity. V&A East has been designed as a bold structure with a distinctive façade that changes appearance from different perspectives.

The new museum will connect the residential area with the institutional buildings in the center of Stratford Waterfront. Views of Stratford Waterfront, the park, and beyond will be available from a public roof terrace and a café facing Waterfront Square.

The building will feature two public entrances: one at the Podium level and another from Waterfront Square. Designed around a central core, the galleries will interconnect across each floor, inviting visitors to explore the space. A large, flexible gallery area will host significant temporary exhibitions.

"In today’s world where we’re facing down challenges from the climate crisis to increasing polarisation, museums and the creative industries have a vital role in bringing people together, celebrating communities, sparking conversations and spotlighting the many ways that global artists, designers and makers are using their creativity to change the world for the better," said Gus Casely-Hayford, V&A East Director. 

"We have created V&A East Museum with and for our audiences, as a welcoming space for all, embedded in east London and with a global outlook, that reflects the multiculturalism of this incredible place that has been the beating heart of creativity for centuries." 

"V&A East Museum is for you– my hope is you’ll find joy, something of yourself and a sense of belonging the moment you walk through the door," Casely-Hayford added.

The V&A East Museum showcases the transformative power of creativity through its two permanent galleries, "Why We Make," which highlight global culture and feature diverse voices and stories. The exhibition includes a rich array of works from artists like Leigh Bowery and Yasmeen Lari, alongside historical pieces such as Renaissance paintings and unique fashion items. 

New acquisitions from contemporary creatives, including Yinka Ilori and fashion designers like VIN + OMI, are on display, along with a monumental work by Thomas J Price that welcomes visitors. 

Additionally, the museum launches a six-monthly commissions program highlighting prominent artists, and the landmark exhibition "The Music is Black: A British Story" showcases significant artifacts from influential musicians, in partnership with BBC Music.

"We’re proud to see V&A East Museum take its place within the dynamic landscape of East Bank in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park," said Jen McLachlan, V&A East Project Director.

"Our design is driven by the idea of openness — a building that welcomes its community, celebrates creativity, and frames the exchange between art, people, and place. It’s not just a museum, but a civic space for dialogue, discovery, and shared experience," McLachlan added.

V&A East is dedicated to creative opportunity and its transformative potential. Two free cultural attractions on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park's East Bank are the V&A East Storehouse (opened May 31, 2025) and V&A East Museum (opening April 18, 2026). 

Both were inspired by the creative legacy of East London and developed in collaboration with young people.

Sheila O'Donnell and John Tuomey established O'Donnell + Tuomey in Dublin in 1988. The Irish Film Institute and Ranelagh Multidenominational School were the first public commissions that developed from their cultural and social involvement. Since then, we have continued to work with the original clients on both buildings.

All images © Niall Hodson.

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