V&A's new extension: the proposals - in pictures

In Amanda Levete’s magic carpet design, visitors would descend into the galleries through what appear to be as much geological strata as conventional architectural moves Photograph: Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Japanese architect Jun Aoki has worked on the design of swimming pools and Louis Vuitton shops: here the two appear to have merged in a pool-like treatment of the courtyard that turns into a glamorous shop-like entrance Photograph: Victoria and Albert Museum, London

A cool, calm and cloistered approach by British architect Tony Fretton. The design is a foil to the sheer richness of what the V&A shows inside Photograph: Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Michael Maltzan from Los Angeles proposes this tent-like structure stretched across a festive corner of the museum courtyard Photograph: Michael Maltzan Architecture/Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Entrance to the Snohetta/Hoskins design; here, the cascade of stacked stairs defines the roof below
Photograph: Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Dublin architects Heneghan Peng have come up with a garden-like courtyard paved in geometric patterns and dotted about with crystalline pavilions
Photograph: Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Jamie Fobert, from London, suggests this bold and sculptural treatment for the V&A courtyard, with the entrance to the underground galleries approached through great architectural crevices Photograph: Victoria and Albert Museum, London