British Museum appoints architect for major redevelopment

London’s British Museum has announced that Lina Ghotmeh Architecture (LGA) has won the competition to redesign its Western Range galleries. 

LGA beat off competition from more than 60 teams that applied to the international architectural competition. The architectural practice, founded by Lebanese-born Lina Ghotmeh, was chosen ahead of four other shortlisted teams led by 6a Architects; OMA; David Chipperfield Architects; and Eric Parry Architects/Jamie Fobert Architects.

The scheme to redevelop the Western Range galleries, part of a wider masterplan, will be one of the biggest cultural renovations in the world, according to the British Museum.

George Osborne, chairman of the British Museum and chair of the judging panel, said: “In Lina Ghotmeh we have an architect who combines a deep sensitivity to the history of our great collection while being a voice for the future. We had many outstanding entries – and I thank the other practices for all their hard work – but I can say as chair of the judging panel, she was the standout winner. 

“Her design ideas excited and enthused the trustees; when they become real buildings and galleries we know they will excite and enthuse our millions of visitors. When we moved into our current buildings years ago, 200 years ago the world was wowed. I believe they will be wowed again when this transformation of our great sculpture galleries, and much more, is complete.”

As well as Osborne, the other members of the judging panel were architecture experts Yvonne Farrell, Meneesha Kellay, Mahrukh Tarapor, and Sarah Younger, British Museum director Nicholas Cullinan, museum trustees Tracey Emin, Charlie Mayfield and Alejandro Santo Domingo, and former interim director Mark Jones.

Ghotmeh’s practice designed the Estonian National Museum, which opened in 2016 in Tartu. The firm also submitted proposals to design an extension to the Sara Hildén Art Museum in Tampere, Finland and for the planned Museum of Revolution of Dignity in Kyiv, Ukraine.

British Museum director Nicholas Cullinan said: “Lina Ghotmeh is an architect of extraordinary grace and gravitas. Her team’s proposals demonstrated an exceptional and materially sensitive architectural vision for the British Museum, and their ‘archaeological’ approach clearly understood the ambition for this project to be as much an intellectual transformation as an architectural one. Lina and her team have a track record for delivering unique and human-centred design with a timeless elegance.”

LGA’s team also includes artist Ali Cherri; conservation architect Purcell; structural and civil engineer Arup; and graphic design and wayfinding firm Holmes Studio.

A British Museum spokesperson said the final cost for the entire project has not yet been realised.

"We’re still at a very early stage of fundraising but the museum has already announced a generous pledge from BP for £50m and we’ve had contributions from other supporters we’re not yet ready to make public," the spokesperson said.

Ideas for a final design approach to the design of the Western Galleries are expected to be shared in mid-2026.

In December last year, the British Museum announced that a team led by Studio Weave had won the competition to design new visitor welcome pavilions.

The Studio Weave team also includes Wright & Wright Architects; Webb Yates Engineers; Tom Massey Studio; and Daisy Froud.

The team is now working developing the designs and prepare a planning application. The new pavilions are expected to open in spring 2026.

The museum will stay open to the public while masterplanning work is carried out. The plan also incudes a collection storage and research facility that opened in last year at the Thames Valley Science Park near Reading and a programme to reduce the museum's carbon footprint.