The Victoria and Albert Museum, commonly known as the V&A,  was the first building erected under Prince Albert’s vision to create a new cultural district in London dedicated to promoting art and scientific education and to champion British industry in the international marketplace. The museum’s purpose was “to educate designers, manufacturers, and the public in art and design,” according to the museum’s website. Although the museum was founded in 1852, it was not until 1857 that the museum moved to South Kensington, an area in West London that had been chosen to be the cultural district of the city. And only decades later, after various museum names, did the museum become the Victoria and Albert Museum. The area now includes the Natural History Museum, the Science Museum, the Royal Albert Hall, and Imperial College London, to name a few. The Architecture The V&A occupies a series of buildings spread over …