Design Your Own Crystal Palace

Unprecedented in scale and revolutionary in construction, the Crystal Palace of 1851 was far more than a venue for the original Great Exhibition.

It soared high enough to shelter full-grown elm trees and stretched to three times the length of St Paul’s Cathedral. This engineering marvel captivated visitors every bit as much as the 100,000 industrial exhibits it housed. Yet the Palace also reflected the complexities of empire and a worldview that shaped Britain’s place in the world.

In this doodle-along panel, hosted by the Museum of Architecture, we’ll look at the engineering achievement, as well as the economic and political context behind the original structure. Then the panelist will imagine what a modern equivalent might look like, with audience members encouraged to put pencil to paper to create their own designs.

How might we design a global home for science, art and innovation today? How could such a space create a sense of worldwide connection and belonging? And how would trends in sustainability, ethical building practices, geopolitics and new building materials change and challenge its form?

This is a ticketed event, advance booking will open shortly.

Visitor information

Talks and discussions are intended for an adult audience and are best suited for ages 16+.

Find out more about the Great Exhibition

If you have an advance ticket, please arrive at the venue 10 minutes before the start time. Your ticket gives you priority access, however, as this is a free event we overbook to help ensure a full event and your space may be reallocated. Early arrival reduces this risk.

To see the precise location of where this talk is taking place, you can use what3words.com with the code 'zealous.older.medium'. 

The lecture theatre is inside the V&A, you can enter by stairs on Level 2 or step-free access is available via the lift on the museum’s ground floor by the V&A cafe.

There are designated wheelchair seating areas and space within the theatre to accommodate assistance dogs. The theatre uses staggered seating with handrails mounted on the walls on either side of the room to assist those with limited mobility. 

To attend the Festival, please make sure to register for free. Registering is the only way to receive the latest Festival updates, a first look at the programme, and opportunities to book free tickets for popular events.

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