The National Gallery in London has appointed Kengo Kuma and Associates, a renowned Tokyo-based architectural firm, to create its new extension as part of Project Domani. This ambitious initiative, with a budget of £750 million (approximately $995 million), aims to modernize the gallery's campus and broaden its collection to include works from the 20th and 21st centuries.
Kuma will collaborate with two UK-based firms, BDP and MICA, on this project, pending final approval after a standstill period that concludes on April 16. The new wing is set to replace St. Vincent House, which currently accommodates a hotel and office complex that will be demolished. Anticipated to open in the early 2030s, the extension will provide around 15,000 square feet of additional exhibition space, marking a significant 15 percent increase, as reported by the Art Newspaper.
The estimated cost for the wing is around £350 million ($464 million), with the remaining funds from Project Domani designated for acquiring post-1900 artworks and establishing an endowment to support the new wing's operational expenses.
The selection process included an international architectural competition that attracted 65 proposals. Among the six finalists were prestigious firms such as Selldorf Architects and Foster + Partners, as well as Renzo Piano Building Workshop, all of whom have received the esteemed Pritzker Prize. Kuma, initially viewed as an underdog, ultimately impressed the jury led by the museum's board chair, John Booth, who praised his design as "exemplary."
The jury highlighted Kuma's proposal as "both innovative and beautiful," emphasizing its sensitivity to the urban environment and its ability to incorporate natural light. The design plans also feature new pedestrian-friendly areas connecting Leicester and Trafalgar Squares, along with a rooftop garden.
National Gallery director Gabriele Finaldi remarked on Kuma's architectural journey, noting his remarkable design elegance, sensitivity to context and history, and masterful use of light and materials.
