Reconstructing value

Bank of England Museum

Date: 26.08.2025

Image of a composite sample made from discarded shredded banknotes, for the Bank of England Museum installation.

In a striking collaboration for London Design Festival, the Bank of England Museum, Plasticiet, and Surface Matter unveil a sculptural installation with a powerful message: how we redefine value through design. The work, supported by the Cheapside Alliance, transforms £2.5 million of reclaimed and recycled British bank notes into bespoke furniture pieces, displayed in the historic Stock Office of the Bank of England Museum, bridging heritage and innovation.

Redefining the Meaning of Money

What happens when money loses its worth? This installation highlights the journey of bank notes removed from circulation, shredded and reconstructed into architectural and symbolic forms. Further highlighting how design reimagines value; from financial permanence to material transformation.

Drawing inspiration from the neoclassical and baroque architecture of the Bank, the curved pieces are monumental yet playful. They highlight the raw beauty of reconstituted material, opening a dialogue between past and present. 

A render image of furniture pieces, made from shredded banknotes, displayed in the Bank of England Museum.
Materials and the Bank of England

The exhibition complements the Building of the Bank exhibition, which explores the evolution of the Bank of England’s design, from Sir John Soane’s original architecture to its present-day structure and materials.

Alongside the installation, curated material boards a curated series of material palettes, showcase how recycled surfaces can appreciate tradition while shaping the future of sustainable design. These recycled surfaces reinterpret the colour, texture and materiality of the bank’s historic interiors; from roman mosaic tiles and Portland stone, to timber joinery, patinated brass and bronze detailing and alongside palettes referencing the colours of British Bank notes.

Curated moodboard display, inspired by a £10 note featuring; warm surfaces from Plasticiet, Richlite and Durat

Visitors can join us for an inspiring lunchtime material session curated by Surface Matter exploring the innovative use of reclaimed, recycled, and reimagined materials in design.

A chance to explore curated displays of pioneering recycled materials, showcasing a wide range of design possibilities with surfaces made from recycled waste. Through these examples, delve into the collaborative processes that make circular design possible, highlighting how discarded materials can be given new life through craftsmanship and innovation.

Whether you're looking to expand your material knowledge or stay at the forefront of sustainable practice, this session will inform, inspire, and challenge how you think about waste and its potential in design.

Tuesday 16 September, 12:30–1:30
Wednesday 17 September, 12:30–1:30