The National Gallery has announced the winner of its architectural competition, selecting Japanese architect Kengo Kuma to design the museum's new wing.
As part of the institution's £750 million expansion, dubbed Project Domani, the London gallery launched an international competition to find an architect for its new wing.
After launching the competition in 2025, the National Gallery received 65 submissions, with six firms shortlisted. Kuma, the architect behind Tokyo’s Olympic Stadium, emerged as the winner.
Kin Creatives
Architecture firm Kengo Kuma and Associates was awarded the highest available score for its "exemplary" design.
The jury said: "The design is both innovative and beautiful, meeting the ambition and sensitivity required for an international gallery commission.
"It is respectful of the Sainsbury Wing galleries... and the approach to the public realm and roof garden creates a generous presence, enhanced by trees and greenery."
The National Gallery's chair of trustees John Booth, who also served as jury chair, said: "All six were impressive and thoughtful, but in the end Kengo Kuma’s proposal was our unanimous choice."
The new wing is being built to house an expanded collection, including modern art from the 20th and 21st centuries, which the museum will collect in collaboration with Tate.
The National Gallery has raised £375m for Project Domani, with the new wing set to replace St Vincent House, the last part of its current campus.
On Kuma's design, the National Gallery's director Gabriele Finaldi said: "Kengo Kuma’s trajectory as an architect demonstrates exceptional design elegance, a keen sensitivity to location and to history, and a supremely beautiful handling of light and of materials.
Roof garden enhanced by trees and greenery
"The new building will complete the National Gallery’s campus, adding distinction to some already distinguished buildings.
"We are thrilled to be working with Kengo Kuma and his design partners, BDP and MICA, on this exciting new development for the nation’s gallery and for central London."
Images courtesy of the National Gallery
