LONDON.- The British Museum has announced the winner of its competition to design new visitor welcome pavilions for the Museum’s central London site.

The chosen project was submitted by a team led by Studio Weave, with Wright & Wright Architects, Webb Yates Engineers, Tom Massey Studio and Daisy Froud.


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The team will now work with the British Museum and local partners to develop the designs and prepare a planning application, with new pavilions expected to be in place by spring 2026.

This project forms part of the Museum’s longer-term Masterplan, a major programme of capital projects which will renovate and transform the British Museum’s iconic Camden site, build new storage and research facilities near Reading, and ensure its extraordinary collection is housed in buildings and galleries fit for the 21st century.

Nicholas Cullinan, Director of the British Museum, said: “As the most visited building in the UK, and one of the top three most visited museums in the world, first impressions count. With the visitor welcome pavilions we're striving to create the most inspiring greeting possible for the 6.2 million people (and counting) from across the nation and around the world who come through our doors each year – whether it's their first visit or fifteenth, aged 5 or 95.

“We were very impressed by Studio Weave’s initial proposals. They perfectly balance a thoughtful visitor experience while remaining true to the British Museum’s historic building. I’m delighted to be working with them, and I look forward to leading the development of the designs in consultation with the London Borough of Camden and other key stakeholders to create something very special for everyone.”

Je Ahn, Founding Director of Studio Weave, said: “As Londoners, and long-term visitors, we are honoured to be part of this moment in the Museum’s history. With the entry, our team wanted to celebrate the British Museum as both a global and a local museum, and create an internationally exemplary space that will improve the experience of Great Russell Street and Montague Place for everybody.

“Our proposal aims to resolve complex issues on the site. The project will preserve the appearance of the historic Grade I listed buildings, address the changing climate and look forward to the future of the institution. It will also introduce new soft landscaping and plants, dotted with engaging installations— encouraging curiosity and becoming a memorable highlight of every visit.”

At the same time, the competition to select an architect to redesign the Western Range of the Museum continues.

The five shortlisted teams have submitted models and images as responses to a design exercise, and these have gone on public display today in the Museum’s Reading Room. The hypothetical design exercise has been set to test the capabilities of the five internationally renowned teams, shortlisted as part of the Museum’s selection process.

The exercise asked each of the teams to provide visionary approaches for the project, alongside the outline design of a limited selection of Museum displays, rather than to create concept designs for the scheme as a whole.

Visitors will be able to contribute comments, which will be passed to the Jury Panel for consideration as it selects a lead architect for this hugely significant project. The Jury Panel will announce the winning team in spring 2025.

Alex Surguladze, Head of Design Management at the British Museum, said: “The British Museum has embarked upon the largest redevelopment in its near 300-year history, and the success of such an ambitious project is dependent upon the support of our neighbours and the wider public.

“The new exhibition in the spectacular setting of the Round Reading Room provides a fascinating insight into the working processes of some of the most esteemed architecture practices in the world. Each has brought its talent to bear on the hypothetical design challenge set by the British Museum team which looks at both the architectural fabric of the Museum as well as collection displays as part of our selection process for the Western Range project.”

The scale, complexity and importance of the Masterplan means it will be one of the most significant cultural redevelopment projects ever undertaken. In addition to the Western Range and Visitor Welcome Programme, projects currently in progress include the recently completed British Museum Archaeological Research Collection facility (BM_ARC) in Reading, and the construction of a new Energy Centre for the Camden site, which will phase out of the use of fossil fuels.

The Museum has confirmed that it will stay open to the public throughout works on the Masterplan, maintaining the founding commitment to keep the collection safe and accessible to the public.


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