British Museum Redevelopment: Lina Ghotmeh to Lead Major Transformation
A third of the British Museum’s vast gallery space is set to undergo a significant transformation, with Lebanese architect Lina Ghotmeh leading the ambitious British Museum redevelopment. Her firm, Lina Ghotmeh – Architecture (LGA), emerged victorious from a competitive field of 60 contenders in what the Museum has called “one of the most significant cultural renovations in the world.”
The Paris-based architect, known for her intricate and historically sensitive designs, impressed the British Museum with an “archaeological approach” to the project. The museum praised her firm for its “deep understanding and sensitivity towards the museum” and stated that LGA was the “unanimous favourite” among the five finalists. The initial designs are expected to be unveiled by mid-2026, following a collaborative process with museum experts.
The British Museum redevelopment is a key part of it’s long-term ‘masterplan,’ which aims to modernise its infrastructure while improving sustainability. The project includes an Energy Centre Programme designed to lower the museum’s carbon footprint, a cutting-edge collection storage and research facility in Reading that opened last year, and plans to replace the current security tents with a new visitor centre.
However, the redevelopment has not been without controversy. When the competition was announced in 2024, activist group BP or not BP? urged architects to boycott the project due to the museum’s links with oil company BP. The British Museum had previously declared it would end its partnership with BP in 2023, yet months later confirmed that the firm would be providing £50 million in funding for the masterplan. Critics called this move “astonishingly out of touch” and “completely indefensible.”
Despite the debate, Ghotmeh’s selection marks a pivotal moment for the museum. Her past projects include the 2023 Serpentine Pavilion in Kensington Gardens, the Estonian National Museum, and the Hermès Leather Workshop in Normandy, France’s first low-carbon, energy-positive building.
Speaking about the project, Ghotmeh said:
“This competition has been an exciting process shaped by dialogue and multiple voices. I am looking forward to continuing this rich and collaborative process as we work towards transforming this section of the museum into an extraordinary space – a place of connections for the world and of the world. ”British Museum chairman George Osborne echoed the excitement, stating: “When we moved into our current building 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.”
The British Museum’s masterplan, which includes this ambitious redevelopment, is outlined in detail on the museum’s official website, where updates on the project’s progress will be shared.
For further insights into London’s cultural and architectural transformations, visit EyeOnLondon. We’d love to hear your thoughts on the British Museum’s redevelopment in the comments below.
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