I popped over to the V&A East Storehouse for the very first time a few days ago, and what a treasure trove it is! It’s like wandering through a behind-the-scenes version of a museum, all raw and stripped back, where you get to peek at the inner workings. There’s only a few labels and descriptions here and there, so it’s up to you to wander about and see what curious object will grab your attention next.

One thing that really delighted me was stumbling across a whole stash of architectural goodies. Not just a name-drop of a famous architect or two, but entire rooms by the likes of Frank Lloyd Wright, Margarete Schütte-Lihotzky, and Alison & Peter Smithson. Very impressive. It was bittersweet, though, to come face-to-face with the facade of Robin Hood Gardens right when you walk in on the ground floor. Last time I’d checked, there was still a fight on to get the building listed. Well, now it’s mostly gone, with just one flat and the facade saved by the V&A as a slice of architectural history. It’s a bit heartbreaking, really, especially when you think about the housing crisis, with so much social rent housing disappearing over time thanks to Rent-to-Buy schemes and the push for privatised dwellings. Robin Hood Gardens started as a council estate but ended up mixed-tenure, and now a vision for council housing is gone, and replaced by a shiny new development promising that classic “50% affordable” deal… but let’s be honest, actual social rent flats will be of an even fewer percentage.

On a brighter note, I lucked out with my visit. My friend and I got to test-drive one of the activities that’ll be part of the shiny new V&A East Museum when it opens next year. It was a hands-on furniture-building challenge, where you’re given a bunch of pieces of furniture and told to get creative and make something new. It’s spontaneous model-making, and I loved it! Turns out, this was an ode to the Blackhorse Responders project, where young people mash up creativity, activism and workshops. Since the activity is still in its testing phase, I got to give feedback on what worked and what could use a tweak. I can’t wait to see how it’s been improved by the time the East Museum opens next year!