The Japanese architectural practice, Kengo Kuma & Associates has been named the winner of the design competition for the V&A at Dundee. The V&A AT DUNDEE will aspire to be Scotland's National Design Centre. It will bring to life the process of design, inspiring practitioners, students and casual visitors alike. It will be a flagship centre for Scotland and a clear statement of the country's commitment to, and achievement in, contemporary design. The site is at the heart of Dundee's waterfront, which is the subject of a major redevelopment project.

Image: Design Dundee Ltd / Kengo Kuma

120 design concepts were originally submitted and, from these, six were shortlisted and subjected to exhaustive scrutiny from the judging panel. The Kengo Kuma design was unanimously chosen as the winner by the judging panel.

Lesley Knox, Chair of the V&A at Dundee project and of the jury panel said "Kengo Kuma's proposal was the unanimous choice of the jury panel and a worthy winner; a building that will delight visitors and encourage them to revisit it again and again.

"This has the potential to be one of Europe¡Çs most exciting buildings."

Image: Design Dundee Ltd / Kengo Kuma

Kengo Kuma & Associates is a medium-sized architectural practice founded in 1990 in Japan. They are involved in a wide range of design scales from furniture and product design to architecture and urban scale planning. Kengo Kuma, a professor at the Graduate School of Architecture at the University of Tokyo and recipient of the prestigious Architectural Institute of Japan Award in 1997 said of the practice's victory, "It will be an exciting endeavour that will combine the tradition and heritage of the Victoria & Albert Museum and our new ideas. Furthermore, we are enthusiastic about the amazing site, the city and environment- it is our intention to find a balanced approach to nature and the city life of Dundee. We wish to bring our best efforts forward, with vigour and passion."

Construction on the project is due to begin in mid 2012 and completed by late 2014, with a projected opening early 2015. The building's galleries will house major exhibitions from the V&A and other international providers. It will have semi-permanent displays of design from the 20th and 21st centuries and a Design Scotland gallery that demonstrates the contemporary excellence in Scottish practice.

For more details, visit http://vandaatdundee.com/

An exhibition of the 6 shortlisted designs will be going on tour at the following locations:

Edinburgh - 17 - 27 January 2011, Scottish Parliament building at Holyrood
Glasgow - 1 - 18 February 2011, The Lighthouse
London - 13 May - 4 April, 2011, The V&A, South Kensington