The British Museum has announced the names of five architecture offices shortlisted for an international competition to renovate its Western Range Galleries. The shortlisted firms are 6a architects, David Chipperfield Architects, Eric Parry Architects and Jamie Fobert Architects, Lina Ghotmeh — Architecture, and OMA.
In London, the Western Range Galleries encompass about 80,000 square feet. It stores hundreds of artworks and significant back-of-house areas in the 1850 building completed by architect Sir Robert Smirke. This upcoming renovation marks the largest addition to the edifice since the Foster + Partners–designed giant glass roof over its Great Court completed in 2000.
Phase one of the competition to renovate the Western Range Galleries kicked off on May 8. The process has been organized by Colander Associates, a London consultancy, on behalf of British Museum. Over 60 architecture offices from around the world submitted bids to shoot their shot.
The winning firm will overhaul about one-third of the British Museum’s gallery space. British Museum officials tout the commission as one of the most significant cultural renovation projects in the world.
George Osbourne, chair of the British Museum, called it “one of the biggest projects of our time.” Nicholas Cullinan, the British Museum’s director, added that the commission is a “career-defining opportunity for the final team.”
But the competition hasn’t been without controversy. British Petroleum (BP) pledged more than $60 million for the project. Big Oil’s patronage sparked outrage among climate activists, as reported by AN last January. Chris Garrard, co-director of the activist group Culture Unsustained, said accepting BP’s money is “astonishingly out of touch” and “completely indefensible.”
Looking ahead, each of the five shortlisted firms will participate in one-day charrettes with British Museum officials. In these meetings, British Museum will ask questions about each office’s philosophy in regard to historic fabric, and spatial, environmental and exhibition design.
A team of design experts including Yvonne Farrell, Meneesha Kellay, Mahrukh Tarapor, and Sarah Younger will evaluate each firm’s responses. British Museum’s Nicholas Cullinan, George Osbourne, Tracey Emin, Charlie Mayfield, Alejandro Santo Domingo, and former interim director Mark Jones will participate in this endeavor.
The winning team will be announced in early 2025.
