Design Your Own Crystal Palace

Unprecedented in scale and revolutionary in construction, the Crystal Palace of 1851 was a hugely significant venue.

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 event is part of the Great Exhibition Road Festival on 6-7 June 2026.

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.

Great Exhibition Road Festival

6-7 June 2026

South Kensington’s annual celebration of science and the arts returns this summer with a weekend of free events for all ages.

Enjoy hands-on workshops, fascinating talks, performances and installations from iconic museums, research and culture organisations in South Kensington, including Imperial College London, the Natural History Museum, Science Museum, V&A, the Royal Parks, the Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851 and many more!

Find out more about the Festival and see the full programme on the Festival website at www.greatexhibitionroadfestival.co.uk.

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