The Architecture of the Design Museum British Sign Language Tour

Architectural firm RMJM designed the Commonwealth Institute on Kensington High Street. It opened to the public in 1962. The activities of the Commonwealth Institute ceased in 2003 and the unique landmark Grade II* listed building stood vacant for over a decade, before being transformed by John Pawson’s design team, who made the building fit for a 21st century museum.

From the magnificent hyperbolic parabola rooftop to unique spatial qualities and lesser-known features and attributes, this tour aims to foster a deeper understanding of this very special structure and how it has been re-imagined, as well as open-up discussions around D/deaf visitors’ experiences to help shape more equitable, accessible spaces.
This tour is for D/deaf visitors and their companions using BSL. Led by graphic designer and Deaf BSL user Edward Richards