Five teams chosen for British Museum's Western Range Galleries redesign shortlist

The opportunity to author what could be one of the most significant cultural sector projects of this decade in the UK will come down to one of five architect-led teams shortlisted for the redevelopment of the British Museum’s Smirke building in London. 

After an international competition organized by Colander Associates drew 60 applicants, the following teams were selected as finalists ahead of the announcement of a winner, which is expected in 2025:

• Team one: 6a Architects with Advanced Integrated Solutions, Arup, David Bonnett Associates, Gitta Gschwendtner, Kellenberger-White, London School of Architecture, Purcell, Studio ZNA
• Team two: 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 three: Eric Parry Architects and Jamie Fobert Architects with Buro Happold, David Bonnett Associates, Max Fordham, Mima, Price & Myers, Purcell, Space Syntax, Studio ZNA
• Team four: Lina Ghotmeh — Architecture with Ali Cherri, Arup, Holmes Studio, Plan A, Purcell
• Team five: OMA with Arup, Benoy, Cookies, Ducks Scéno, EQ2 Light, Purcell, Salvatore Settis, Studio ZNA

The project will eventually reshape the Western Range galleries (home to the controversial Elgin Marble holdings) while providing much-needed modern building performance upgrades across the program, which includes several contemporary gallery additions. For the second phase, each team will make a day-long workshop presentation to the museum and a body of competition jurors that includes artist Tracey Emin and the 2020 Pritzker winner Yvonne Farrell before a final decision is announced.