Architect praises Dundee as construction work begins on £80 million V&A Museum of Design

This article originally appeared on Culture24.

Construction work begins at V&A museum site which will turn Dundee into first UNESCO City of Design

Speaking at a groundbreaking ceremony at the new £80 million V&A Museum of Design, on Dundee’s waterfront, Japanese architect Kengo Kuma called the environment and city “so much stronger” than his initial visit, when he was sizing up the site ahead of a competition bid in 2010.

Kuma joined city leaders to attend a short ceremony marking the start of construction work on the first design museum in the UK to be built outside of London. The architect, whose first building in Britain is due to open in June 2018, was presented with a silver vessel created by a student who used Scottish and eastern techniques to raise a fine silver flat sheet into 3D form.

“Our vision for the V&A Dundee building, which was originally inspired by the breathtaking natural setting, is now starting to take physical shape, creating a real sense of place,” said Kuma.

“We look forward to forging even closer links between the people and cultures of Japan and Scotland over the coming years as we create our first British building.

"It's always a great pleasure to visit Scotland, a country I love very much."

Dundee will become the UK’s first UNESCO City of Design under plans which are expected to create £11.4 million annually, despite attracting criticism earlier this year for running £31 million over budget.

“We are beginning the construction of a new building that, through its design, already helps symbolise this city’s new confidence,” said Phillip Long, the museum Director, calling the ceremony “a special day” and "a historic moment” for Dundee.

“We believe this is a project that has the potential to reshape our national landscape and be of benefit to all of us.

“As the building develops, day-by-day it will demonstrate Dundee’s growing ambition in a very real and physical way.”

Fiona Hyslop, the Cabinet Secretary for Culture, praised Kuma’s “spectacular vision”. Colin McLean, of major backers the Heritage Lottery Fund, said the work would reward seven years of planning.

• Visit vandadundee.org for more.

What do you think? Leave a comment below.

More from Culture24's Architecture and Design section:

All the world's a stage: Dramatic Society of British Theatre Designers show heads to the V&A

Rare surviving Arts and Crafts house to open to public for first time in Leicestershire

Visitors glimpse Thames from 42 metres high as £1 million Tower Bridge glass floor opens to public

Source: http://www.culture24.org.uk//art/architecture-and-design/art519959-architect-praises-dundee-as-construction-work-begins-on-80-million-v-and-a-museum-of-design