The Museum of London has announced the six architectural teams shortlisted to design its new museum in West Smithfield in the international design £200k competition organised by Malcolm Reading Consultants (MRC), as the museum also released full details of the competition jury.
The new museum, which has a £130-150m construction budget, will secure the future of a series of much-loved heritage buildings at West Smithfield, help regenerate this historic part of the City of London and relaunch the museum, which has seen its audiences soar in recent years.
The shortlisted teams are (in alphabetical order):
- BIG – Bjarke Ingels Group (DK) with Hawkins\Brown (UK)
- Caruso St John Architects (UK)
- Diener & Diener Architekten (CH) with Sergison Bates Architects (UK)
- Lacaton & Vassal Architectes (FR) with Pernilla Ohrstedt Studio (UK)
- Stanton Williams (UK) with Asif Khan (UK)
- studio Milou architecture (FR) with RL& Associés (FR) and Axis Architects (UK)
Almost 80 teams (comprising circa 140 practices) entered the first stage of the competition, which had a strong international showing. The shortlisted teams were selected on the basis of relevant skills and experience, particularly, those involved with significant cultural projects which have had a truly transformational impact.
Sharon Ament, Director of the Museum of London, said: ‘It’s been an intriguing process so far, the range of creative architectural practices who submitted is phenomenal. The shortlist’s mix promises a fascinating next stage when the finalists’ concept designs go on display at the Museum of London this summer. I look forward to hearing the views of Londoners in the run-up to the jury reviewing the designs and choosing the winner.’
Lucy Musgrave, Director, Publica, and competition juror, said: ‘The site for the new museum is complex and intricate. The shortlist represents an intriguing range of talent, some fresh and inspired collaborations, and reflects the international significance of this competition. Each of the finalists in different ways has created great cultural places in cities around the world, and we’re confident they will do the same for London.’
The shortlisted practices will now be briefed and asked to produce design concepts which will be displayed in an exhibition at the Museum of London in the summer before a winner is selected by the jury.
The Museum of London has appointed a stellar panel of jurors from the worlds of the arts, media, property, architecture and business. The jury will be chaired by Governor of the Museum of London and television and radio presenter, Evan Davis.
The jury comprises (in alphabetical order):
- Sonita Alleyne, OBE, FRSA, Founder, The Yes Programme
- Sharon Ament, Director, Museum of London
- Clive Bannister, Chair, Museum of London Board of Governors and Group Chief Executive, Phoenix Group Holdings
- David Camp, Governor, Museum of London and Chief Executive, Stanhope
- Evan Davis, Governor, Museum of London and television and radio presenter (Jury Chair)
- Dr Stephen Deuchar CBE, Director, Art Fund
- Professor Robert Mull, Architect, Former Director of Architecture and Dean of the Cass Faculty of Art, Architecture and Design, and Trustee of the Architecture Foundation
- Lucy Musgrave, Director, Publica
- Michelle Ogundehin, Editor-in-Chief, ELLE Decoration
- Jörn Rausing, Governor, Museum of London
and
- Malcolm Reading, Malcolm Reading Consultants (adviser to the jury)
Funded by the Mayor of London through a £200,000 grant, the competition is being run in accordance with European Union procurement guidelines under the Restricted Procedure.
The museum’s aim is to achieve planning permission, raise the necessary capital funds and deliver the new museum by 2021.
Full details of the competition are available on the dedicated website
MOL press release
