V&A East Storehouse, UK

We are excited to share our recent lighting design for the V&A East Storehouse – a working archive where visitors can experience their vast collection of artefacts in an immersive new way.

Working alongside Diller Scofidio + Renfro and Austin-Smith:Lord, Arup Lighting developed a layered, conservation led approach to the lighting design that pairs an industrial “warehouse” aesthetic with fully adjustable light levels to protect sensitive objects. Wayfinding, visual hierarchy and visitor flow are shaped through contrast, accent and subtle shifts in light.

At the heart of the building, the Collection Hall is treated like a stage: a calm backdrop with focused highlights, supported by a vast Barrisol luminous ceiling and fully flexible, addressable luminaires for rotating displays.

Sustainability is embedded throughout – lighting remains low until presence is detected, delivering higher levels only where and when needed, reducing energy use whilst revealing the architecture.

We are extremely proud to contribute to a project where light enhances discovery, protects the collection and supports a living, working museum