The British Museum has announced that Lina Ghotmeh — Architecture (LG—A) has been selected to lead the comprehensive redesign of its Western Range galleries. This significant project is a cornerstone of the Museum's Master plan, aiming to transform a substantial portion of its historic Bloomsbury building.
Lina Ghotmeh.
The international architectural competition, spanning nine months, attracted over 60 submissions. From five shortlisted teams, LG—A emerged as the unanimous choice. The selection panel praised LG—A for its profound understanding of the Museum's heritage and the intricate relationship between the collections and diverse visitors. Lina Ghotmeh's 'archaeological' design philosophy, which delves into a building's history to inform its future, resonated deeply with the panel.
George Osborne, Chairman of the British Museum and Chair of the Judging Panel, remarked: 'We set out to find the best and I believe we've found her. 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.' He further expressed confidence that the new designs will captivate the Museum's millions of visitors.
Dr Nicholas Cullinan, Director of the British Museum, commented: '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.' He highlighted LG—A's history of delivering unique, human-centred designs with timeless elegance.
Lina Ghotmeh, founder of LG—A, expressed her enthusiasm: 'My team and I are thrilled to embark on this journey for the renovation of the Western Range of the British Museum. This competition has been an exciting process shaped by dialogue and multiple voices. I am looking forward to continuing this rich and collaborative process as we work towards transforming this section of the Museum into an extraordinary space – a place of connections for the world and of the world.'
LG—A's portfolio includes notable projects such as the Hermès Leather Workshop in Normandy, inaugurated in 2023, and the Estonian National Museum in Tartu. Ghotmeh has received accolades, including the Grand Prix AFEX 2016 and a nomination for the Mies Van der Rohe Award in 2017.
The Western Range redevelopment is poised to be one of the most extensive cultural renovations globally. The project aims to reimagine over a third of the Museum's gallery space, enhancing the visitor experience and ensuring the preservation of its vast collections. The final design approach is anticipated to be unveiled by mid-2026.
This initiative underscores the British Museum's commitment to evolving and enriching its spaces, ensuring they reflect both its storied past and dynamic future.
More information:
The British Museum
www.britishmuseum.org