2025 Annual Report Mth-l Museum of Architectur
Charity registration number 1154120
Company registration number 07930803 (England and Wales)
MUSEUM OF ARCHITECTURE
ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025
MUSEUM OF ARCHITECTURE
LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
| Trustees | Mr R C Fiehn | |
|---|---|---|
| Mr C Hildrey | ||
| Ms S Tabassum | ||
| Mr R Williams | ||
| Mr J Goodwin | (Appointed 3 July 2025) | |
| H Phillips | ||
| M Jovic | (Appointed 3 July 2025) | |
| R May | (Appointed 3 July 2025) | |
| H Kandili | (Appointed 3 July 2025) | |
| S Goldsmith | (Appointed 3 July 2025) | |
| H Stevenson | (Appointed 3 July 2025) | |
| M Ghojeh | (Appointed 3 July 2025) | |
| M Kutay | (Appointed 3 July 2025) | |
| F Anderson | (Appointed 3 July 2025) | |
| R Reynolds | (Appointed 3 July 2025) | |
| Country of incorporation | United Kingdom | 07930803 |
| (England and Wales) | ||
| Charity registration | England and Wales | 1154120 |
| Registered office | Flat 5 | |
| 11 Rutland Gate | ||
| London | ||
| SW7 1BH | ||
| Independent examiner | Linda Dunford FCCA CTA | |
| Warner Wilde Limited | ||
| Chartered Certified Accountants | ||
| 4 Marigold Drive | ||
| Bisley | ||
| Surrey | ||
| GU24 9SF | ||
| Bankers | HSBC - Oxford Street | |
| 431 Oxford Street | ||
| London | ||
| W1C 2DA |
MUSEUM OF ARCHITECTURE
CONTENTS
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Trustees report | 1 - 7 |
| Independent examiner's report | 8 |
| Statement of financial activities | 9 |
| Balance sheet | 10 |
| Notes to the financial statements | 11 - 18 |
MUSEUM OF ARCHITECTURE
TRUSTEES REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025
The Trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 30 September 2025.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the charity's governing document, the Companies Act 2006 and "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)".
Objectives and activities
The charity's objects are:
a) to advance education and research on the subjects of architecture, building, town planning, construction and development and the inter-relationship between the natural and built environment and related disciplines.
b) to establish and maintain, or to support the establishment and maintenance of, a museum or gallery, or museums or galleries, or spaces or other resources that provide the infrastructure and environment to encourage and assist such education and research.
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MoA’s Mission
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The Museum of Architecture (MoA) is a charity dedicated to finding new ways for the public to engage with architecture and to encouraging entrepreneurship within architectural practice in order to stimulate learning, collaboration and action.
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MoA provides opportunities for architects to work with other industries and communities to be better informed about the places and people for which they are designing.
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MoA’s programming provides insightful information for both the public and architects alike, linking architecture to contemporary culture to make it accessible to all.
Throughout MoA’s 20 years, we have curated and produced over 1,000 talks, conferences, exhibitions and events and workshops. Our ticketed attendance to our programming is now over 167,500+ people and our public space installations and exhibitions have been seen by over 500,000 people. Our family programme, School for Creative Thinkers, is based around biomimicry and nature based solutions. We have worked with institutions such as the V&A, Somerset House, RGB Kew Gardens, Cadogan, Grosvenor, South Kensington Estates, Design Museum and RIBA to host our exhibitions.
The Trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the charity should undertake.
Achievements and Performance for Oct 2024 - Sept 2025
The Museum of Architecture continued its annual programming.
The Gingerbread City®
The Gingerbread City® was held in Chelsea on King’s Road with the support of Cadogan. This year’s theme was around refit and repurposing buildings.
The exhibition had wide media coverage including multiple news stations, key stories in printed press.
GBC brought in over 12,000 visitors for the exhibition and gingerbread house making workshops.
We continued sponsorship from Finsa for the wood materials and created our own lighting which helped make the event possible. There was no masterplan this year as we worked with U-Build to create a reusable system. It was an initial investment, but would serve us well in subsequent years.
Audience
Attracting audiences young and old, GBC has attracted more than 167,000 visitors since it started in 2016.
Workshops
In addition to the exhibition, the MoA runs a series of family workshops. The Gingerbread housemaking workshops target families.
Press
The exhibition receives wide press coverage in the UK and internationally.
The exhibition aired on the news and the founder Melissa Woolford gave various interviews.
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Achievements and Performance
School for Creative Thinkers
School for Creative Thinkers Nature’s Architects kits that include, Bee, Bird, Bear, Cactus, Mushroom, Raccoon, and Coral Reef were sold online and at The Gingerbread City.
Each of these kits is available on www. schoolforcreativethinkers.com.
The kits teach about a specific animal, plant or insect that, through biomimicry, can influence or help us better understand the built environment.
There are 4 more kits that have been developed that need finalising when funding is in place.
These kits are very exciting and we are now looking for partners to sell them in shops, use them in workshops and make them as accessible as possible to a wide audience.
The kits are sold at The Gingerbread City exhibition pop-ups and have been well received.
Future Planning
Planning was underway for The Gingerbread City 2025/26 in King’s Cross.
The theme for the 2025-2026 year would be The Playful City to correspond to the need for more spaces for play that impacts health, relationships and community.
There were conversations about a Bonsai Treehouse project for summer 2026 as well as a collaboration with the Great Exhibition Road Festival.
Overall Summary
The team worked incredibly hard this year to continue on-going projects such as GBC London, and new project for 2026. The 2025 year was a bit of a recovery year financially, but we ended up in a confident position at the end of the year.
MoA’s audience remains strong, partners engaged, supporters steadfast, and sponsors growing.
MUSEUM OF ARCHITECTURE
TRUSTEES REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025
Financial review
Total income for the year has decreased to £144,695 (2024: £261,098). Total expenditure for the year has also decreased to £109,290 (2024: £304,350).
The overall result is a surplus for the year of £35,405 (2024: £42,952 deficit). Total reserves now stand at £6,948 (2024: £28,157 deficit).
Reserves policy
It is the policy of the charity that unrestricted funds which have not been designated for a specific use should be maintained at a level equivalent to between three and six month’s expenditure. The Trustees considers that reserves at this level will ensure that, in the event of a significant drop in funding, they will be able to continue the charity’s current activities while consideration is given to ways in which additional funds may be raised. This level of reserves was not maintained due to the challenges with GBC 2023-2024 but is now more positive after GBC 20242025.
Major risks
The Trustees have assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed, and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to the major risks.
Structure, governance and management
The charity is a company limited by guarantee.
The Trustees who served during the year were: Mr R C Fiehn Mr S Adams (Resigned 7 January 2025) Mr C Hildrey Ms S Tabassum Mr R Williams Mr J Goodwin (Appointed 3 July 2025) H Phillips M Jovic (Appointed 3 July 2025) R May (Appointed 3 July 2025) H Kandili (Appointed 3 July 2025) S Goldsmith (Appointed 3 July 2025) H Stevenson (Appointed 3 July 2025) M Ghojeh (Appointed 3 July 2025) M Kutay (Appointed 3 July 2025) F Anderson (Appointed 3 July 2025) R Reynolds (Appointed 3 July 2025)
Recruitment and appointment of trustees
Trustees are recruited depending on what talent and expertise is needed on the board. The Director reaches out to individuals after consultation with the other board members.
None of the Trustees has any beneficial interest in the company. All of the Trustees are members of the company and guarantee to contribute £1 in the event of a winding up.
Organisational structure
Day to day running is led by Director, Melissa Woolford. Rob Fiehn, as chair, is a very active member of the board and organisation.
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MUSEUM OF ARCHITECTURE
TRUSTEES REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025
The trustees report was approved by the Board of Trustees.
~~..............................~~ 10.06.26 (Jun 10, 2026 15:15:09 GMT+1) Mr R C Fiehn
10/06/2026
Date: .............................................10.06.26 (Jun 10, 2026 15:15:09 GMT+1)
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MUSEUM OF ARCHITECTURE
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF MUSEUM OF ARCHITECTURE
I report to the Trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Museum of Architecture (the charity) for the year ended 30 September 2025.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the Trustees of the charity (and also its directors for the purposes of company law), you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.
Having satisfied myself that the financial statements of the charity are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006 and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s financial statements carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011. In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act 2011.
Independent examiner's statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
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1 accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 386 of the Companies Act 2006.
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2 the financial statements do not accord with those records; or
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3 the financial statements do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the Companies Act 2006 other than any requirement that the financial statements give a true and fair view, which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or
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4 the financial statements have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities applicable to charities preparing their financial statements in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached.
Linda Dunford FCCA CTA
Warner Wilde Limited Chartered Certified Accountants 4 Marigold Drive Bisley Surrey GU24 9SF Date: ............................10/06/2026
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MUSEUM OF ARCHITECTURE
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025
| Unrestricted | Unrestricted | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| funds | funds | ||
| 2025 | 2024 | ||
| Notes | £ | £ | |
| Income from: | |||
| Donations and legacies | 3 | 13,716 | 46,000 |
| Charitable activities | 4 | 130,979 | 215,098 |
| Total income | 144,695 | 261,098 | |
| Expenditure on: | |||
| Raising funds | 5 | 540 | 1,957 |
| Charitable activities | 6 | 108,750 | 302,393 |
| Total expenditure | 109,290 | 304,350 | |
| Net income/(expenditure) and movement in funds | 35,405 | (43,252) | |
| Reconciliation of funds: | |||
| Fund balances at 1 October 2024 | (28,457) | 14,795 | |
| Fund balances at 30 September 2025 | 6,948 | (28,457) |
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
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MUSEUM OF ARCHITECTURE
BALANCE SHEET
AS AT 30 SEPTEMBER 2025
| 2025 Notes £ Fixed assets Investments 11 Current assets Debtors 12 12,000 Cash at bank and in hand 12,919 24,919 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 13 (17,974) Net current assets/(liabilities) Total assets less current liabilities The funds of the charity Unrestricted funds 15 |
2024 £ £ £ 3 3 - 5 5 (28,465) 6,945 (28,460) 6,948 (28,457) 6,948 (28,457) 6,948 (28,457) |
|---|---|
The company is entitled to the exemption from the audit requirement contained in section 477 of the Companies Act 2006, for the year ended 30 September 2025.
The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 with respect to accounting records and the preparation of financial statements.
The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year in question in accordance with section 476.
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime.
10/06/2026
The financial statements were approved by the Trustees on .........................
10.06.26 (Jun 10, 2026 15:15:09 GMT+1) ~~..............................~~ Mr R C Fiehn
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MUSEUM OF ARCHITECTURE
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025
1 Accounting policies
Charity information
Museum of Architecture is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is Flat 5, 11 Rutland Gate, London, SW7 1BH.
1.1 Basis of preparation
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's governing document, the Companies Act 2006 and "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)". The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.
The charity has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities applying FRS 102 Update Bulletin 1 not to prepare a Statement of Cash Flows.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
1.2 Going concern
At the time of approving the accounts, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. The trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the accounts.
1.3 Charitable funds
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.
Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors or grantors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.
Endowment funds are subject to specific conditions by donors that the capital must be maintained by the charity.
1.4 Income
Income is recognised when the charity is legally entitled to it after any performance conditions have been met, the amounts can be measured reliably, and it is probable that income will be received.
Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the charity has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.
Legacies are recognised on receipt or otherwise if the charity has been notified of an impending distribution, the amount is known, and receipt is expected. If the amount is not known, the legacy is treated as a contingent asset.
Income is deferred to the extent that it relates to future periods.
Turnover is measured at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable and represents amounts receivable for goods and services provided in the normal course of business, net of discounts, VAT and other sales related taxes.
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MUSEUM OF ARCHITECTURE
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025
1 Accounting policies
(Continued)
1.5 Expenditure
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.
1.6 Fixed asset investments
Fixed asset investments are initially measured at transaction price excluding transaction costs, and are subsequently measured at fair value at each reporting date. Changes in fair value are recognised in net income/(expenditure) for the year. Transaction costs are expensed as incurred.
A subsidiary is an entity controlled by the charity. Control is the power to govern the financial and operating policies of the entity so as to obtain benefits from its activities.
1.7 Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.
1.8 Financial instruments
The charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.
Financial instruments are recognised in the charity's balance sheet when the charity becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.
Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.
Basic financial assets
Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at the recoverable amount.
Basic financial liabilities
Basic financial liabilities, including creditors and bank loans are initially recognised at transaction price and subsequently carried at amount payable.
Derecognition of financial liabilities
Financial liabilities are derecognised when the charity’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.
2 Critical accounting estimates and judgements
In the application of the charity’s accounting policies, the Trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.
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MUSEUM OF ARCHITECTURE
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025
3 Income from donations and legacies
| Unrestricted | Unrestricted | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| funds | funds | ||
| 2025 | 2024 | ||
| £ | £ | ||
| Donations and gifts | 686 | 34,000 | |
| Grants | 30 | - | |
| Donated goods and services | 13,000 | 12,000 | |
| 13,716 | 46,000 | ||
| 4 | Income from charitable activities | ||
| Unrestricted | Unrestricted | ||
| funds | funds | ||
| 2025 | 2024 | ||
| £ | £ | ||
| Charitable activities | |||
| Sale of goods and services | 130,979 | 215,098 | |
| 5 | Expenditure on raising funds | ||
| Unrestricted | Unrestricted | ||
| funds | funds | ||
| 2025 | 2024 | ||
| £ | £ | ||
| Fundraising and publicity | |||
| Advertising | 540 | 1,957 |
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MUSEUM OF ARCHITECTURE
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025
6 Expenditure on charitable activities
| Charitable | Charitable | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| activities | activities | ||
| 2025 | 2024 | ||
| £ | £ | ||
| Direct costs | |||
| Cost of sales | 21,860 | 138,096 | |
| Subcontractor costs | 53,013 | 107,694 | |
| Printing, postage and stationery | 2,683 | 1,188 | |
| Rent | 9,595 | 1,521 | |
| Computer software | 5,798 | 5,559 | |
| Books, journals and materials | 11,158 | 23,230 | |
| Insurance | 1,239 | 2,617 | |
| Travel | 369 | 7,439 | |
| Equipment | 213 | 4,948 | |
| Leasing payments | - | 7,187 | |
| Irrecoverable VAT | 20 | 234 | |
| Sundry costs | 292 | 507 | |
| 106,240 | 300,220 | ||
| Share of support and governance costs (see note 7) | |||
| Governance | 2,510 | 2,173 | |
| 108,750 | 302,393 | ||
| Analysis by fund | |||
| Unrestricted funds | 108,750 | 302,393 | |
| 7 | Support costs allocated to activities | ||
| 2025 | 2024 | ||
| £ | £ | ||
| Governance costs | 2,510 | 2,173 | |
| Analysed between: | |||
| Charitable activities | 2,510 | 2,173 | |
| 8 | Net movement in funds | 2025 | 2024 |
| £ | £ | ||
| The net movement in funds is stated after charging/(crediting): | |||
| Fees payable for the independent examination of the charity's financial | |||
| statements | 1,065 | 1,762 |
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MUSEUM OF ARCHITECTURE
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025
9 Trustees
The director was reimbursed expenses in the year to the value of £nil (2024: £nil) and received consultancy fees of £16,583 (2024: £18,000) as disclosed in note 16.
10 Taxation
The charity is exempt from taxation on its activities because all its income is applied for charitable purposes.
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MUSEUM OF ARCHITECTURE
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025
11 Fixed asset investments
| Cost or valuation At 1 October 2023 & 30 September 2024 Carrying amount At 30 September 2025 At 30 September 2024 Other investments comprise: Notes Investments in subsidiaries 17 12 Debtors Amounts falling due within one year: Trade debtors 13 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Notes Other taxation and social security Deferred income 14 Other creditors Accruals 14 Deferred income Arising from Deferred Income |
Other investments 3 3 3 2025 2024 £ £ 3 3 2025 2024 £ £ 12,000 - 2025 2024 £ £ 2,344 1,729 14,050 - - 12,571 1,580 14,165 17,974 28,465 2025 2024 £ £ 14,050 - |
|---|---|
Deferred income is included in the financial statements as follows:
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MUSEUM OF ARCHITECTURE
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025
14 Deferred income
| Deferred income Deferred income is included within: Current liabilities Movements in the year: Deferred income at 1 October 2024 Released from previous periods Resources deferred in the year Deferred income at 30 September 2025 |
(Continued) 2025 2024 £ £ 14,050 - 2025 2024 £ £ - 28,403 - (28,403) 14,050 - 14,050 - |
|---|---|
Deferred income relates to payments in advance for events after the balance sheet date.
15 Unrestricted funds
The unrestricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants which are not subject to specific conditions by donors and grantors as to how they may be used. These include designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes.
| At 1 General funds Previous year: At 1 General funds |
October 2024 Incoming resources Resources expended At 30 September 2025 £ £ £ £ (28,457) 144,695 (109,290) 6,948 October 2023 Incoming resources Resources expended At 30 September 2024 £ £ £ £ 14,795 261,098 (304,350) (28,457) |
|---|---|
16 Related party transactions
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MUSEUM OF ARCHITECTURE
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025
16 Related party transactions
(Continued)
Transactions with related parties
During the year the charity entered into the following transactions with related parties:
| Key management personnel | 2025 £ 16,583 16,583 |
2024 £ 18,000 |
|---|---|---|
| 18,000 |
17 Subsidiaries
These financial statements are separate charity financial statements for the Museum of architecture.
Separate company financial statements are required to be prepared by law. Consolidated financial statements are not required as the group constitutes a small group.
Details of the charity's subsidiaries at 30 September 2025 are as follows:
| Name of undertaking | Registered | Nature of business | Class of | % Held |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| office | shares held | Direct Indirect | ||
| MOA Collaborative | England and | Dormant Company | Ordinary | 100.00 |
| Wales | shares |
The charity also owns 10% of Gingerbread City LLC in New York at a valuation of $0.
18 Contingent Liability
The main contractor (management) has not received their full fees in order to support the development of the charity. The contractor has provided written confirmation to the charity that the liability will only become due if there are unrestricted reserves and making payment would not create financial difficulty for the charity. The potential liability is therefore contingent on the availability of free reserves. The amount owed at 30 September 2025 is £234,959 (2024: £189,959).
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