Bold expansion is coming to London’s National Gallery, and six top architectural teams are in the running to redefine its footprint around St. Vincent House. In a move announced in London, the museum revealed a six-firm shortlist for a major addition designed to extend the Gallery into a site that once housed a hotel and office complex but was acquired years ago.
The competition, launched in September as part of Project Domani, drew 65 international submissions. The shortlisted teams are:
- Farshid Moussavi Architecture with Piercy & Company
- Foster + Partners
- Kengo Kuma and Associates with BDP
- Renzo Piano Building Workshop with Adamson Associates
- Selldorf Architects with Purcell
- Studio Seilern Architects
Officials say the new wing will house a growing collection and increasing visitor numbers, while reshaping the public realm between Leicester Square and Trafalgar Square. This expansion forms a centerpiece of Project Domani, described by officials as the National Gallery’s largest transformation in its 200-year history.
National Gallery Director Gabriele Finaldi notes that funding for Project Domani is already halfway secured. The gallery has raised nearly $500 million (£375 million) to support a project projected to total about $1 billion (£750 million).
Earlier this year, Selldorf Architects, Purcell, and Vogt completed a controversial renovation of the Gallery’s Sainsbury Wing, a renovation that sparked lively discussion about architectural choices.
John Booth, chair of the National Gallery’s board of trustees, is leading the jury for this competition. He emphasizes that the aim is not only to preserve and present the collection but also to elevate the visitor experience and boost the Gallery’s standing as a global cultural destination.
The final selection of the architect and the broader technical design team is expected by April 2026.
