2016 - The prison, new exhibition space

In 2013, its name evolved into a museum of decorative arts and design, making visible the institution’s desire to become an important place for promoting and disseminating design culture in France. The project involves creating a dialogue between decorative arts and design, by continuing to exhibit ancient decorative arts in their 18th-century setting, the mansion, and by exhibiting design, this applied art born in the 19th century, in the prison built in the 19th, whose function is still read through the interior architectural organization (cells, heavy wooden doors, peep holes...).
This exceptional configuration favors the reading of the project and endows it with a singularity and an architectural strength. In 2015, a first step is taken: the prison is emptied and the reserves relocated. This leads to an important project of localizations, shots of the works, condition reports and reconditioning, and leads to the implementation of a long-term restoration campaign.

In 2016, the prison is open to the public for the first time on the occasion of the European Heritage Days. The queue of visitors goes up the entire street. This success with the public of Bordeaux and in the local press reinforces the legitimacy of the upcoming renovation and modernization project. Since 2017, the prison space has hosted a large number of exhibitions dedicated to design that give a new dynamic and great visibility to the institution: Oh colors ! Design through the prism of color (2017), Construction – Martin Szekely (2018), Memphis – Plastic Field (2019), A.P.M – Ambient Party Machine (2020), Playground, le design des sneakers (2020), Paysans designers, l'agriculture en mouvement (2021) and Nanda Vigo, l'espace intérieur (2022).