The British Museum has launched an international competition to find an architectural team to transform more than a third of its gallery space.
Architects will compete in a two-stage competition process, the British Museum said in a press release. Applicants will be judged by a ten-member panel of experts, it added.
Chair of the British Museum, George Osborne, said: “The British Museum is one of London’s great and most-visited landmarks – and like the city itself, it feels timeless as a space because it constantly evolves.
“Each generation makes its own contribution: 200 years ago our forebears commissioned the great classical facade; a hundred years ago it was the King Edward VI building; a quarter of a century ago, it was the Great Court.
“Now our generation is calling out across the world, and across Britain, for an architectural practice with the imagination, the sympathy and the vision to help us rebuild and restore the most famous galleries of the museum, where our sculptures from ancient Greece, Rome and Mesopotamia are displayed.
“In this home to the history of humanity, come help us – quite literally – build the future.”
The winning team will focus on transforming the western side of the museum, which houses collections from ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome, Assyria and the Middle East.
The judges will be looking for a “vision for how to present the collection for a modern day visitor experience” that “remains sympathetic to the original Smirke building”.
Two-stage competition process
Proposals need to consider how the museum can remain open to visitors during the building works, and the panel will be looking for expertise in sustainability.
The British Museum does not want a final design, but instead an architect-led team to put forward ideas and proposals to develop it in collaboration.
The museum’s architectural competition is open for entries until 21 June, and full details are available here.
Despite opposition from climate campaigners, the British Museum made a 10-year, £50 million deal with energy giant BP to help fund the renovation project.
Images courtesy of the British Museum
