V&A Talk with Maria Speake and Emily Tobin

Join Maria Speake and Emily Tobin at the Victoria and Albert Museum, on Monday the 20th of April.

Drawing on three decades of experience, our founder Maria will discuss practical and personal insights into working with salvage and the projects featured in her new book, Contemporary Salvage: Designing Homes from a Philosophy of Re-Use. Joining her in conversation will be Emily Tobin, editor-in-chief of The World of Interiors and a leading voice in international design journalism.

Together, the duo will explore how the Retrouvius design ethos of responsibility and resourcefulness blends architectural salvage with innovative reuse principles. Discussing everything from the imbued history of old materials to the frank realities of modern living, they will explore the homes Maria has designed, including spaces for Bella Freud and Helena Bonham Carter, among others.

This Earth Week, important questions about architecture, construction and design practice are more timely than ever — and this talk will address some of these concerns.

Date: Monday, 20 April 2026

Time : 19.00 – 20.45

Location: V&A South Kensington

Cromwell Road
London, SW7 2RL
The Lydia and Manfred Gorvy Lecture Theatre

To book your place at this talk, click the link below:

V&A Talk with Maria and Emily

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