Discovering - The V&A Dundee

I think it was a documentary on National Geographic where I first saw the impressive sight of the V&A Dundee which opened in 2018, a sculptural form of architecture on the waterfront overlooking the River Tay.

The story of how Japanese Architect Kengo Kuma, was inspired by the coastal cliff faces of Scotland, his initial simple line drawings, they all just drew me in - it made me want to go see this building for myself.

Philip Long - Director of the V&A Dundee, describes Kuma's work as a "bridge between the river and the city", Kuma himself describes the building as, "a connector - creating a frame through which to see the river".

Just as the river was key to Dundee's growth and trading back in the 19th & 20th Centuries, the river is now key to this building too, not only do the concrete panels on the exterior connect to the nature of the water, the interior allows glimpses of the river too...climbing the stairs to the exhibition spaces, you get tantalising views of the landscape. As you continue to climb  located on the right is a door which leads you outside onto a small south facing viewing platform, although it can get a bit  busy, it's certainly worth taking a moment to step outside to take in this view of the river and surrounding landscape. 
Back inside the wooden oak walls add a warmth, which I think compliment the exterior which is constructed from 2,500 pre-cast rough concrete panels forming an artificial cliff, looming over The Tay - Scotland's longest river. 

The inside space is not huge, it feels more intimate, and I think this was the intention as the V&A Dundee is often described as, "the living room for a city"... a city which I for one hope to hope to visit again! If you get chance to visit I'm sure you won't be disappointed.

On the playlist this week - one from Alex Warren's 2025 album "You'll be alight, Kid", the song is called - Ordinary, and like the V&A Dundee, Alex is far from ordinary, he's an American Singer Songwriter, who experienced challenging times whilst growing up, who has just goes from strength to strength with his music...