Next stage begins for one of world’s most significant cultural projects

The British Museum has revealed its shortlist of five architect-led consultant teams that will compete in the next stage of its international contest to reimagine over a third of its gallery space. Tenderstream member Arup is a member of three teams on the shortlist, one of which is led by fellow Tenderstream member OMA. The next stage of the contest will run until December 2024, after which there will be a display of the shortlisted candidates’ entries in the museum’s iconic Round Reading Room, with the winner set to be announced in early 2025. 

The winning team will embark on one of the most significant cultural renovation projects in the world, working with experts across the museum to develop designs for the Western Range that respond to the museum’s sensitive historic buildings, ambitious decarbonisation plans, and the ongoing process of reimagining the display and care of collections. As well as gallery space, the Western Range holds extensive back-of-house areas, totalling 15,650 sq m, with the overall complex ranging in age from the original 1850s buildings designed by Robert Smirke, to later additions.

The contest now requires the teams to participate in a process that includes a day-long charette with the museum team, as well as a series of design exercises that will assess their approach to historic fabric, alongside different elements of spatial, environmental and exhibition design. Deliberate limitations have been put in place to ensure that the teams do not arrive at a complete plan, but are instead able to demonstrate their ability to envision and lead a collaborative process that responds to the complex needs of multiple stakeholders, both within the museum and from external groups. 

Applicants will be judged by an expert panel that will comprise ten members, chaired by George Osborne, who recently stated: “The redevelopment of the British Museum is one of the biggest projects of our time. We asked for the best of the architectural community to step forward to help – and they have, from Britain and across the world. The shortlist we’ve chosen mixes renowned experience with exciting new voices. We couldn’t have asked for more.”

The shortlisted teams are: 

Team 1: 6a Architects
with: Advanced Integrated Solutions, Arup, David Bonnett Associates, Gitta Gschwendtner, Kellenberger-White, London School of Architecture, Purcell, Studio ZNA

Team 2: David Chipperfield Architects
with: AEA Consulting, Adamson Associates, Alan Baxter Associates, Arup, Atelier Brückner, Atelier Ten, Lobe Lloyd, Julian Harrap Architects, Plan A, Reusefully, Neal Shasore 

Team 3: Eric Parry Architects and Jamie Fobert Architects
with: Buro Happold, David Bonnett Associates, Max Fordham, Mima, Price & Myers, Purcell, Space Syntax, Studio ZNA 

Team 4: Lina Ghotmeh — Architecture
with: Ali Cherri, Arup, Holmes Studio, Plan A, Purcell

Team 5: OMA 
with: Arup, Benoy, Cookies, dUCKS Sceno, EQ2 Lighting, Purcell, Salvatore Settis, Studio ZNA

Lucy Nordberg
Tenderstream Head of Research

This tender was first published by Tenderstream on 20.12.2023 here

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