A new tomorrow for The National Gallery that will also transform the surrounding public realm....
It is our privilege to announce this important international competition to find architects for this amazing project: a new wing at The National Gallery in London.
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The National Gallery: aerial view
The challenge
The new wing will be built on the site of the last remaining part of The National Gallery’s current campus: St Vincent House.
Architecturally ambitious, technologically innovative and environmentally sensitive, the new wing will symbolise the UK’s commitment to culture and heritage, standing as a landmark of both local and international significance.
To the passer by, the design of the new wing will deliver a bold intervention of exceptional architectural merit that adds to the set piece sequence of the eclectic but timeless buildings that make up the Gallery’s current estate. The new building will embody the Gallery’s national and international standing, complementing the diversity and quality that is there already, with a timeless design that pays particular attention to detail and is crafted from quality materials.
What a wonderful challenge!
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Aerial photo showing the National Gallery (white line) and the site of the proposed new wing (red line)
Eligibility
This competition is looking to find architects - not a full design team.
The Gallery would like to encourage smaller architectural practices to consider taking the role of Creative Lead on this project although, given scale and complexity of the project, it is likely that they will need to partner with a larger organisation that is able to meet the requirements of the Delivery Lead.
This competition is open to international organisations, provided they can demonstrate an ability to create and deliver designs for a project of this complexity and significance in London.
An organisation can be involved in more than one competing team, but each organisation may only submit one competition entry as the Lead Supplier or as the Creative Lead.
Competition process and timings
The competition was launched today, 10 September 2025.
Architects have until 17 October 2025 to decide if they would like to be considered for this opportunity and submit their expression of interest. No more than six architects will then be paid an honorarium of £50,000 to take part in a design competition. Design submissions will need to be submitted by 13 February 2026. A winner is expected to be announced in April 2026.
To find out more visit the competition webpage.
“With the Bicentenary celebrations now completed, the NG looks to the future. We want to be the place where the UK public and visitors from across the globe can enjoy the finest painting collection in the world from medieval times to our own, in a superb architectural setting. We are hugely excited by these developments and are immensely grateful to our donors for their support - on an unprecedented scale - as the National Gallery steps into its third century."
— Sir Gabriele Finaldi, Director, The National Gallery