Calvin Klein architect wins brief for Design Museum

A British architect who champions minimalism has been picked to create a new, enlarged Design Museum in Kensington.

John Pawson beat applicants from around the world to win the commission to transform the grade II*-listed former Commonwealth Institute into the museum's new home. It is currently based in a warehouse near Tower Bridge.

Pawson, 61, has designed several Calvin Klein shops including the flagship store in Manhattan.

The former institute was built in the Sixties and has a paraboloid roof or "tent", which will be preserved.

A spokeswoman for Kensington and Chelsea council said English Heritage was set to approve the proposals.

The £40 million project is intended to be funded through the construction of large residential blocks on site.