


V&A Public record Office and National Art Library, Chancery Lane
The feasibility study was carried out in two phases with reports submitted to the V&A in September and November 1996.
The Public Record Office Building in Chancery Lane is a fine listed 19th century gothic building. The earlier part, designed in the 1850\'s by Sir James Pennethorne is a fascinating example of the nineteenth century ability to invent building types appropriate to their use; in this case an archive.
With the PRO moving to their new building at Kew, the V&A asked Long & Kentish to look at the feasibility of taking over the building in Chancery Lane for the National Art Library (now housed in cramped conditions in the V&A itself). The move would have two main benefits: giving the NAL 30-50 years capacity for growth and freeing space in the V&A museum for display.
The Public Record Office Building in Chancery Lane is a fine listed 19th century gothic building. The earlier part, designed in the 1850\'s by Sir James Pennethorne is a fascinating example of the nineteenth century ability to invent building types appropriate to their use; in this case an archive.
With the PRO moving to their new building at Kew, the V&A asked Long & Kentish to look at the feasibility of taking over the building in Chancery Lane for the National Art Library (now housed in cramped conditions in the V&A itself). The move would have two main benefits: giving the NAL 30-50 years capacity for growth and freeing space in the V&A museum for display.
project: | V&A Public record Office and National Art Library |
location: | Chancery Lane , London |
client: | National Art Library / Victoria and Albert Museum |
dates: | 1996 -1997 |
cost: | £5.5 - £10million |
area: | 10,000sqm |