Counterculture have had a long association with the V&A, working on numerous Futureplan projects. For Young V&A, the Counterculture team worked closely alongside V&A at several stages of the project.
Tim Ellison, Partner & Vice Chair at Counterculture
Tim was contracted to lead the development of the Young V&A’s business plan, having previously worked within the Futureplan project delivery team at V&A, South Kensington and supporting the opening of V&A Dundee. The first iteration of the business plan was produced during RIBA Stage 3 (Design Development). Once initial architectural designs were well developed, Tim looked at different operating models for the new offer, creating the first staffing model based on the preferred operational approach.
Tim worked directly with the V&A team and was based in Bethnal Green while the work was carried out. This partnership was instrumental in aligning the Young V&A’s business plan objectives with the broader vision of the museum. One of the principle focuses for the business plan was the exhibition programme and Tim’s efforts centred on developing a five-year view of exhibitions, aiming to look at strategies which maximised associated income to support development costs. This income would be crucial in mitigating the substantial production costs which are invariably associated with exhibitions and events. Areas of potential secondary spend were also targeted with proposals adopted into the final, approved designs, with a focused emphasis on the retail and events businesses to further support and provide essential and sustainable income into the museum.
Tim Ellison’s contributions to the Young V&A’s business plan played a pivotal role in shaping the museums operational approach, and provided the foundations for addressing operational challenges and opportunities around multi-site operation between V&A South Kensington, V&A East and the relaunch of the Young V&A.
Rebecca Lim, Partner at Counterculture
Rebecca Lim as V&A Projects Lead undertook an interim leadership role overseeing the Projects department and Futureplan programme. As part of this role Rebecca oversaw the project delivery of the Young V&A in Summer 2023. This free new museum, designed entirely for children, is the UK’s first museum of art, design and performance created with and for young people, providing an innovative day out with unique spaces displaying inspiring stories of children’s ingenuity alongside over 2000 works from the V&A’s collections.
Joining the dedicated Young V&A team, Rebecca played a pivotal role in the comprehensive renovation and refurbishment project and the successful reopening of the museum:
- Overseeing the multi-disciplinary design team; including fit out designers AOC Architecture who reimagined the galleries and public spaces and De Matos Ryan the base build lead designers. The spaces celebrated and restored the building’s iconic Victorian architecture whilst focusing on accessibility and inclusivity, natural light, and galleries designed consciously around the needs of SEND visitors and children of all ages.
- Leading the work of a team of project managers working across all the client-owned work packages. Key work streams included; the base build contract working alongside a client appointed Construction Project Manager, Fit out contract (galleries), FF&E and storage equipment, graphics production, donor and wayfinding signage, external signage, gallery showcases, object installation and display.
- Overseeing the delivery of the project and liaising across the V&A operational functions to ensure Young V&A opened on time at the end of June 2023.
- Responsibility for financial reporting for the £13million project budget.
Rebecca Lim explains the process behind helping Young V&A come to life and open its doors once more.
“It has been a real team effort – a creative and collaborative process, dedicated to not just the final result, but to creating a space which will inspire future changemakers. I feel very lucky to have worked on Young V&A. We’ve been fortunate enough to work alongside inspiring young people and some of the best practitioners in the Creative Industries to realise a transformed museum.”