London Design Festival - V&A - London

As part of the London Design Festival (LDF) - 18 to 26 September 2021 - the prestigious Victoria & Albert Museum in London (V&A) has invited the Brussels architect Aude-Line Dulière - in collaboration with the artist Juliet Haysom - to present an exhibition on the theme of the circular economy linked to the reuse of building materials, and therefore more broadly to sustainable development.

Focusing on sustainable development and the circular economy, the exhibition, which will run for a minimum of four months, will feature the return of Portland stone blocks removed from the V&A's facade in 2013 to create access to a new museum courtyard. Some of the 400 evacuated and stored stones will be presented in this exhibition so they can find a new use (urban furniture).

The LDF will therefore be an opportunity to practise the circular economy in the most literal way by bringing back the stones removed from the facade a few years ago and adding a new chapter to their journey. A documentary, directed by Ele Mun, will describe this journey and interview the stakeholders who made sure these building elements were safeguarded.

The intervention will also be supported by a seminar focusing on the reality of the logistics of recirculating stone elements and on the embedded values: geological, preparation and energy contained in the cut stones.

Finally, this approach will also be an opportunity to develop a survey tool to compile a digital collection or catalogue of these fragments. The development of appropriate technology could inform ways of communicating and of reusing other dormant building elements in and around London (and beyond).

Supported by Wallonie Brussels International, Wallonie Brussels Architectures and PAYE Stonework and Restoration

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