VIDEO: Dundee's V&A museum takes shape as stone panels fitted to new building

Huge cast stone panels being hung on the curving walls of Scotland's first design museum (V&A Dundee /PA Wire)

BUILDERS have been hanging huge cast stone panels on the walls of V&A Dundee in the latest stage of construction at the design museum.

The panels, which each weigh between 1.5 and 2.5 tonnes, are being individually fixed into place on the curving walls.

In total, 2,466 of them will wrap around the outside of the museum which is under construction on the edge of the River Tay, each held in place by two specially-designed brackets.

Once attached, they will complete the exterior of the first British building by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, who is also designing the Tokyo 2020 Olympic stadium.

The design of the £80.11 million building is inspired by the cliffs along Scotland’s north-eastern coastline.

Mike Galloway, executive director of city development at Dundee City Council, said: “V&A Dundee is an impressive feat of engineering and installing thousands of stone panels is the next stage of this ambitious build.

“Nothing like this has ever been constructed in Scotland before. In fact, I can’t think of another building anywhere in the world similar to this.

“Because the museum is so unique, the team of constructors, designers and engineers have had to use the latest technology to realise the architect’s vision.”

The museum is on schedule to open to the public in 2018.

V&A Dundee director Philip Long said: “It is fantastic to see V&A Dundee take shape and a joy to watch as these panels transform the curved walls of the museum into the exciting form Kengo Kuma envisaged.

“The hard work, skill and dedication of those involved in the build is remarkable and is producing something very special on the banks of the River Tay.

“As the building enters the final stages of construction excitement is growing as we look ahead to opening Scotland’s first design museum next year.”

The panels have been fitted to the riverside wall first, so that work can begin on removing the cofferdam later this year.

The cofferdam consists of 12,500 tonnes of stone and has allowed the museum to be built out over the river.