Get ready for something spectacular! If the British Museum getting reworked by Lina Ghotmeh wasn’t good news enough, then get a load of this – The National Gallery, one of the world’s most treasured homes for Western art, is about to undergo its biggest transformation in 200 years.
It’s all happening under the banner of Project Domani, an incredible £750 million campaign that is set to redefine this iconic institution for the next century.
The project is already backed by an unprecedented £375 million in cash pledges, and a huge part of this exciting new chapter is the creation of a brand-new wing! On December 3rd, the Gallery announced the six architectural firms shortlisted to bring this vision to life. This is your first look at who might design the future of Trafalgar Square!
The Vision for Project Domani
So, what exactly is Project Domani? It’s a game-changing plan to extend the Gallery’s historic collection beyond 1900, making it the one place in the world where you can experience the complete history of Western painting. It’s about creating a vibrant, fresh experience for visitors and revitalising the entire area between Leicester Square and Trafalgar Square.
The new wing will be a landmark of both local and international significance. It will be built on the site of St Vincent House on Orange Street, a property the Gallery acquired almost 30 years ago for this very purpose. Imagine a state-of-the-art building that uses the latest advances in building techniques and sustainability to house some of the world’s greatest masterpieces.
Meet the Shortlisted Architects
The international call for architects was a massive success, with 65 submissions pouring in from around the globe. Now, the Gallery has whittled it down to six phenomenal contenders. These firms will now enter a design competition, with the final winner to be announced in April 2026.
Here are the six firms in the running (in alphabetical order):
- Farshid Moussavi Architecture + Piercy & Company (both UK)
- Foster + Partners (UK)
- Kengo Kuma and Associates (Japan) + BDP (UK)
- Renzo Piano Building Workshop (Italy) + Adamson Associates (UK)
- Selldorf Architects (USA) + Purcell (UK)
- Studio Seilern Architects (UK)
This is a powerhouse lineup, and the competition to design the new wing is sure to be fierce!
The Jury of Experts
Choosing the right design is a monumental task, and the Gallery has assembled an incredible jury to make the final decision. The panel is a who’s who of the art and architecture world, ensuring the chosen design will be nothing short of breathtaking.
The jury includes:
- John Booth – Chair of the National Gallery Board of Trustees and Chair of the Jury.
- Céline Condorelli – A celebrated artist.
- Sir Gabriele Finaldi – Director of the National Gallery.
- Lady Patty Hopkins – An esteemed architect and RIBA Gold Medal Winner.
- Sir John Kingman – Deputy Chair of the National Gallery Board of Trustees.
- Dame Diana Lees – Former Director of The Imperial War Museum.
- David Marks – Chair of the National Gallery Masterplan Committee.
Jury Chair John Booth perfectly captured the excitement, saying, “We look forward to finding the right architectural partner to join us on this once-in-a-lifetime journey to create a landmark of local and international significance: creatively ambitious, technologically innovative and environmentally sensitive.”
A Campaign Fuelled by Generosity
A project of this scale requires incredible support, and Project Domani has already attracted some of the largest donations ever made to a museum globally. This includes two landmark gifts that have laid the foundation for this ambitious vision.
An astonishing £150 million has been pledged by Crankstart, the charitable foundation of Sir Michael Moritz KBE and his wife, Harriet Heyman. An equally transformative £150 million has been committed by the Julia Rausing Trust. These amazing gifts, alongside a further £75 million from the National Gallery Trust and other donors, have provided incredible momentum.
However, there’s still more to do. National Gallery Director, Sir Gabriele Finaldi, explained that the fundraising is only halfway there. “Project Domani is a £750 million campaign that will redefine the National Gallery for the next century,” he said. The goal is not just to create new spaces, but also to build an acquisitions fund for modern paintings and ensure the Gallery’s long-term financial health.
Redefining the Gallery for the Next Century
At its heart, Project Domani is about reaffirming the National Gallery’s founding mission: to make great art accessible to everyone. This physical and artistic expansion will allow the Gallery to engage with even more visitors through enhanced displays, exciting exhibitions, and new educational programmes.
“The National Gallery was formed to make great art accessible to all,” Sir Gabriele Finaldi stated. “With this new physical and artistic expansion, and with the invaluable help of our donors, we are reaffirming our commitment to the public… We now look forward to welcoming new donors and partners to help us realise this shared ambition.”
This is a thrilling moment for the National Gallery and for art lovers everywhere. Keep your eyes peeled as we watch these incredible architects develop their designs for a new tomorrow!