The British Museum has just announced that Lebanese-French architect Lina Ghoutmeh will lead the redesign of its Western Range galleries. Through a competition, which attracted over 60 entries, it’s after a nine-month-long decision process that the Paris-based architect was selected.
One of the museum’s most ambitious projects to date, Ghoutmeh’s next venture involves refurbishing a space that accounts for nearly a third of the museum’s total area— approximately 15,560 square meters. With an impressive portfolio that includes the Hermès Leather Workshop in Louviers, Normandy (opened in 2023) and the Estonian National Museum in Tartu, Ghoutmeh has been recognized with prestigious accolades— including the Schelling Architecture Prize (2020) and a nomination for the Mies van der Rohe Award (2017)— the 44-year-old is expected to bring her “deep sensitivity to the history of our great collection while being a voice for the future.”
View this post on Instagram
“We had many outstanding entries— and I thank the other practices for all their hard work—but I can say as chair of the judging panel, she was the standout winner,” said George Osborne, Chairman of the British Museum and Chair of the Judging Panel. “Her design ideas excited and enthused the trustees; when they become real buildings and galleries we know they will excite and enthuse our millions of visitors. When we moved into our current buildings years ago, 200 years ago the world was wowed. I believe they will be wowed again when this transformation of our great sculpture galleries, and much more, is complete.”
Dr Nicholas Cullinan, Director of the British Museum, added: “Lina Ghotmeh is an architect of extraordinary grace and gravitas. Her team’s proposals demonstrated an exceptional and materially sensitive architectural vision for the British Museum, and their ‘archaeological’ approach clearly understood the ambition for this project to be as much an intellectual transformation as an architectural one. Lina and her team have a track record for delivering unique and human-centred design with a timeless elegance. I am delighted we will be working together and excited for the years ahead at such a pivotal chapter for the Museum, embarking on a generationally significant project that will transform a third of our gallery space.”
Part of a much larger initiative which seeks to modernize the British Museum’s facilities and enhance visitor experience, all whilst improving its sustainability scores, from what we know, the final design approach is expected to be unveiled to the public by 2027. Stay tuned for more information.
