Contractor McLaughlin & Harvey has agreed a deal to deliver a new revolutionary project in London.

The V&A has appointed the firm as base build contractor for a new collection and research centre in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. It forms part of the V&A East project.

Designed by Diller Scofidio + Renfro, the new 16,000 sq m purpose-built centre will represent the museum store as a visitor experience, housing 250,000 objects, 350,000 books and over 1,000 archives from the V&A collection.

Claire McKeown, V&A East Project Director, said: "V&A East is one of the most significant and ambitious developments in the V&A's history. Our collection and research centre will be a global first, combining a unique visitor attraction with a working museum store that meets the complex and varied needs of the V&A’s diverse collection. It's an unprecedented and challenging brief, and we were impressed with McLaughlin & Harvey's ingenious response, particularly their sensitive approach to integrating our large-scale collection objects, architectural fragments and historic interiors into the build. I look forward to having them onboard to realise Diller Scofidio + Renfro's revolutionary designs as we build an exciting new future in east London."

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Michael Kieran, Construction Director at McLaughlin & Harvey, added: "McLaughlin & Harvey is delighted to have been appointed as main contractor for this iconic project by the V&A. We look forward to supporting the V&A in the development of this facility which will allow their unrivalled collections to be stored and explored. This project is part of the V&A's expansion plans in east London and will take pride of place in our portfolio of work in the south east."

(CM/MH)