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In pictures: How V&A Dundee took shape

15 September 2023

Phil Turner's photograph provided the original inspiration for the museum's design

Phil Turner Cliffs — Phil Turner's photograph provided the original inspiration for the museum's design

Dundee's V&A museum is celebrating its fifth birthday.

The tourist attraction is marking the occasion with a new exhibition charting the architecture and construction of the £80m building.

The exhibition includes images of the inspiration for the building's design and a history of the complex task of bringing Kengo Kuma's vision to life.

Kengo Kuma's design for the building began with a sketch

Kengo Kuma and Associates V&A sketch — Kengo Kuma's design for the building began with a sketch

This model was exhibited with other shortlisted designs in 2010 before being chosen by a jury panel. Originally, the whole museum was positioned on the river, which later proved infeasible. Kuma kept the connection to the river by designing surrounding water pools.

Kengo Kuma and Associates V&A model — This model was exhibited with other shortlisted designs in 2010 before being chosen by a jury panel. Originally, the whole museum was positioned on the river, which later proved infeasible. Kuma kept the connection to the river by designing surrounding water pools.

This test model shows the building's distinctive archway

Maurizio Mucciola V&A Dundee test model — This test model shows the building's distinctive archway

By March 2016 work had begun on the building's core, main hall and exterior walls

Ross Fraser McLean V&A construction — By March 2016 work had begun on the building's core, main hall and exterior walls

One of the V&A's core buildings viewed from the top of the other, looking down into the main hall

Ross Fraser McLean V&A construction — One of the V&A's core buildings viewed from the top of the other, looking down into the main hall

By December 2016 Formwork and falsework surround the building, supporting it until the roof steelwork was completed

Ross Fraser McLean V&A construction — By December 2016 Formwork and falsework surround the building, supporting it until the roof steelwork was completed

The museum's exterior walls are made from poured concrete, and 21 walls were built using 1,277 separate panels. Each one is a different shape.

Ross Fraser McLean V&A construction — The museum's exterior walls are made from poured concrete, and 21 walls were built using 1,277 separate panels. Each one is a different shape.

The public entranceway towards the stairway and main hall entrance, before the addition of timber planks to the walls is shown here from December 2016

Ross Fraser McLean V&A construction — The public entranceway towards the stairway and main hall entrance, before the addition of timber planks to the walls is shown here from December 2016

The building during construction in May 2017

RossFraserMcLean V&A construction — The building during construction in May 2017

By December 2017, people could admire the building from the outside, but it would be another 10 months before they could see inside

Ross Fraser McLean V&A Dundee — By December 2017, people could admire the building from the outside, but it would be another 10 months before they could see inside

Hufton Crow V&A Dundee

In February 2018, Kengo Kuma visited the construction site to see the completed building for the first time

Alan Richardson Kengo — In February 2018, Kengo Kuma visited the construction site to see the completed building for the first time

The building was illuminated on 14 September 2015 ahead of its opening the following day

Ross Fraser McLean V&A Dundee — The building was illuminated on 14 September 2015 ahead of its opening the following day

Hundreds of "birthday wishes" were placed on the water pools outside V&A Dundee to celebrate its fifth birthday

Frame Focus Capture Photography V&A Dundee — Hundreds of "birthday wishes" were placed on the water pools outside V&A Dundee to celebrate its fifth birthday

All images are subject to copyright.

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