When it came to the fabric of the building, the Museum's first Director, Henry Cole, placed particular importance on the use of ceramics. From the terracotta architectural decoration outside to the tiling and sculpture inside, the use of ceramics throughout the building was chosen to demonstrate the material's versatility and provide a rich backdrop for the objects on display. One of the founding aims of the South Kensington Museum, as the V&A was first called, was to promote knowledge of both traditional and emerging forms of art, craft and design. The Ceramic Staircase, built between 1865 and 1871, perfectly embodies Cole's mission. The staircase was designed by Francis Wollaston Moody, a member of staff in the Museum's design studio and a lecturer in the adjoining School of Art. Moody was influenced by Godfrey Sykes, (the first decorative designer at the Museum), in his choice of elaborate ceramic tiling and sculpture which was intended to entice visitors up the main staircase, from the Refreshment Rooms below to the Ceramic Gallery on the floor above.