The National Gallery is delighted to announce that Kengo Kuma and Associates with BDP and MICA have won the competition to design its new wing, part of the museum’s £750 million Project Domani.*
In the largest and most significant transformation of the National Gallery since its formation 200 years ago, Project Domani also includes the move to extend its historic collection beyond 1900, making it the only museum in the world which exclusively displays paintings, where visitors will be able to view the entire history of painting in the Western tradition.
The Gallery launched an international architectural competition for a new wing to house its expanded collection in September 2025. 65 submissions were received, with six architects** shortlisted to take part in a design competition.
The Jury Panel*** found the design submission from Kengo Kuma and Associates with BDP and MICA ‘exemplary’ and awarded it the highest available score.
They commented, “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 thoughtful design of the external spaces, with links to Leicester Square, evokes an open visitor welcome which is further enhanced using Portland stone and stepped massing, which shows sensitivity to the surrounding streets and allows natural light to be drawn into the building.”
Of the interior of the new wing, the Jury Panel commented, “The style of the galleries is very simple and clean, with a contrast between the main floor that incorporates vaults and arches, while the upper floor has a more geometric design. As a result, the main floor of galleries presents a continuum with the Sainsbury Wing and North Galleries, but the upper floor has its own style, which adds variety and a change of design pace to the overall scheme.”
On social value, “A robust and measurable social value delivery plan is defined … strengthened through the inclusion of the bespoke Climate & Social Action Design Framework. The approach to sustainability is also defined, alongside a clear strategy for considering and applying social value principles across the lifecycle of the project.”
In conclusion, “This is an exemplary submission, demonstrating both a strong grasp of the importance of social value for this project, and how social value could be integrated into existing National Gallery initiatives, and future National Gallery schemes.”
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