When the Dundee Partnership first began creating a masterplan to re-integrate the central waterfront area with the city centre, they could never have imagined the transformation that's taken place.
Gaining approval in 2001, the partnership aimed to realise the exceptional opportunity provided by Dundee's waterfront and they created a vision for the area that had a distinct identity and sense of place, with a framework for future investment.
The groundwork over the first decade culminated in the announcement in 2009 of V&A Dundee (vam.ac.uk), the first V&A museum outside of London - an exciting proposition for this east coast city which sits on the Tay estuary.
The project moved on, with an international design competition set up to find the best architect. The following year, in 2010, world-renowned Japanese architect Kengo Kuma was announced as the prestigious winner. Kuma wanted it to be a welcoming space and a way of reconnecting the city to the River Tay.
Speaking in 2016, a year after construction of V&A Dundee began, Kuma said:
"We are delighted that our vision for the V&A Dundee building, which was originally inspired by the beautiful River Tay setting, is now starting to take physical shape. I am very proud to be part of this exciting development for the city of Dundee and Scotland and to be creating a museum that will inspire people to visit from the UK and beyond."
V&A Dundee: Celebrating World-Class Design
V&A Dundee, located on the east coast of Scotland, opened in 2018. The museum gives an insight into over 500 years of brilliance, ingenuity and achievement in Scottish creativity as well as the best examples of design from around the world.
Nearly 2,500 cast-stone panels form the sculptural façade of the waterfront museum. The complex geometry was inspired by the dramatic cliffs along the east coast of Scotland and its beautiful location reconnects Dundee with its historic waterfront.
Dundee: A UNESCO City of Design
There's a reason that Dundee is recognised as the UK's first UNESCO City of Design. From being the world's largest exporter of jute fabric during the 1800s, to being the home of Grand Theft Auto, one of the world's biggest videogame series, and everything in between - Dundee has always been ready to embrace new ideas.
V&A Dundee features permanent galleries of Scottish design and an international programme of changing exhibitions. The central waterfront of Dundee is the focal point of the project and also involves a green civic space for concerts and events, an urban beach, a modern rebuilt train station, new hotels and new commercial, leisure and residential outlets to support the expanding city.
Exploring Dundee’s cultural attractions
Dundee is a great venue for culture, with Dundee Contemporary Arts, Dundee Rep, and numerous independent shops and galleries. A top destination for families, the city has a range of attractions including the McManus: Dundee’s Art Gallery and Museum, Dundee Science Centre, and two floating museums, the RRS Discovery and the HM Unicorn.
It’s also the perfect base for exploring the neighbouring regions of Angus along the east coast, Fife which sits south across the river, and Perthshire to the north and west.
Find out more about V&A Dundee (vam.ac.uk)
Header image photo credit: Hufton + Crow for V&A Dundee