NEW PROJECT: V&A South Asia Gallery
Greenway Associates is proud to be appointed as both Quantity Surveyor and Project Manager for the transformation of the V&A’s historic South Asia Gallery.
Set to open in Spring 2028, this ambitious project - supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund - will create a world-leading space for the display and reinterpretation of South Asian art and design.
Conservation inspection being carried out on frieze panel from Kochi ceiling, polychromed wood, Kochi, south-west India, 19th century_© Victoria and Albert Museum.
Panel from the Kochi ceiling depicting Shiva. (Museum no. IS.2564A-1883) © Victoria and Albert Museum, London.
THE PROJECT
The £4m new project was announced by the V&A in September 2024. Expected to open in 2028, the new gallery will see a full redesign and redisplay of the gallery, creating a welcoming and visually arresting gallery, and bringing new transparency to the colonial history of the collection.
THE GALLERY
The V&A South Asia Gallery will showcase one of the most significant collections of its kind, spanning over 5,000 years. For the first time, modern and contemporary South Asian art and design will be displayed alongside historic works, offering a broader perspective on the region’s artistic influence.
A key highlight is the newly restored Kochi Ceiling (pictured) – a painted and carved 19th century wooden temple ceiling which has been in storage for over 70 years and was last on display in 1955. It will be conserved, reconstructed and suspended at height.
The redevelopment of the gallery will:
Establish a world-class space for South Asian art and design, celebrating the region’s diverse cultures and global influence.
Enhance the visitor experience with a complete redesign, making the gallery more engaging and accessible to all.
Showcase modern and contemporary works by leading South Asian artists for the first time.
Provide greater transparency on the colonial history of the V&A’s South Asian collection and how these artworks were acquired.
By incorporating new storytelling, interactive displays, and cutting-edge audio-visual technology, the redevelopment aims to improve accessibility and engagement for all visitors. Greenway Associates is proud to have provided cost consultancy for this transformative project, which will celebrate South Asian heritage while fostering dialogue on its global impact.
“We are delighted to be given the opportunity to help the V&A deliver what is a unique gallery, the South Asia Gallery. The combination of heritage and conservation elements really excite us and will only add to this grand space. The collection that is held is fascinating and we are very much looking forward to seeing it available to all in the years ahead. The South Asia Gallery touches on so many cultures and history that it is an honour to be a part of this special project.”
THE LINE UP
Client: V&A
Quantity Surveyor: Greenway Associates
Project Manager: Greenway Associates