The British Museum has announced that Lina Ghotmeh Architecture (LGA) has won the international competition to redesign its Western Range galleries, marking a pivotal moment in the Museum’s Masterplan. The project will be one of the largest cultural renovations globally.
Over 60 architectural firms applied to the two-stage international competition, which spanned nine months. From five shortlisted teams, LGA emerged as the unanimous winner.
Launched in May 2024 and concluding in December, the competition sought visionary proposals to transform a third of the Museum’s gallery space. Lina Ghotmeh’s design impressed the jury for its deep sensitivity to the Museum’s history, the complexity of the collections, and its engagement with diverse visitor groups.
Ghotmeh’s ‘archaeological’ approach to design—treating each project as an excavation into the past to shape the future—places sustainability and natural materials at its core. This philosophy strongly aligns with the British Museum’s mission to preserve two million years of human history.
Ghotmeh’s studio has delivered significant cultural landmarks, including the Hermès Leather Workshop in Louviers (2023) and the Estonian National Museum in Tartu. Her accolades include the Grand Prix AFEX 2016 and a nomination for the Mies van der Rohe Award 2017.
George Osborne, Chairman of the British Museum and head of the judging panel, remarked: “In Lina Ghotmeh, we have found an architect who honors our collection’s past while envisioning its future. Her ideas will captivate millions of visitors, just as our iconic building did 200 years ago.”
British Museum Director Dr. Nicholas Cullinan added: “Lina Ghotmeh demonstrated an architecturally and intellectually transformative vision. Her human-centered approach and timeless elegance make her the perfect choice for this project.”
Expressing her excitement, Lina Ghotmeh said: “My team and I are honored to contribute to this significant transformation of the British Museum. We aim to create a space of global connections—where history meets the future.”
For more info: www.linaghotmeh.com
