Alistair Hardaker | Image: A design for the National Gallery rooftop (Kin Creatives)
Kengo Kuma and Associates with BDP and MICA will design new wing as part of Project Domani, expanding collection beyond 1900 for first time.
The National Gallery has announced Kengo Kuma and Associates with BDP and MICA as winners of a competition to design its new wing, part of the museum’s £750m Project Domani.
The Gallery describes Project Domani as the largest and most significant transformation of the National Gallery since its formation 200 years ago. The project includes the move to extend its historic collection beyond 1900, which the Gallery states will make it the only museum in the world which exclusively displays paintings where visitors will be able to view the entire history of painting in the Western tradition.
The Gallery launched an international architectural competition for the new wing in September 2025. Sixty-five submissions were received, with six architects shortlisted to take part in a design competition.
The National Gallery jury panel awarded the design submission from Kengo Kuma and Associates with BDP and MICA the highest available score, describing it as exemplary.
The panel commented: “The design is both innovative and beautiful, meeting the ambition and sensitivity required for an international gallery commission. It is respectful of the Sainsbury Wing galleries … and the approach to the public realm and roof garden creates a generous presence, enhanced by trees and greenery. The thoughtful design of the external spaces, with links to Leicester Square, evokes an open visitor welcome which is further enhanced using Portland stone and stepped massing, which shows sensitivity to the surrounding streets and allows natural light to be drawn into the building.”
The new wing will be built on the site of St Vincent House, the last remaining part of the National Gallery’s campus to be developed. The property was acquired nearly 30 years ago for the purpose of expanding gallery space and currently houses a hotel and office complex.
National Gallery Chair of Trustees, and Jury Chair, John Booth said the design is “sensitive to our existing Grade 1 exteriors and distinctive gallery spaces” and will “help to unite two of London’s most important outdoor spaces — Leicester and Trafalgar Squares — by creating enticing new public realm between them.”
£375m has already been raised for Project Domani, including two donations of £150m each from Crankstart, the charitable foundation of Sir Michael Moritz KBE and his wife Harriet Heyman, and the Julia Rausing Trust.
A further £75m has been contributed by the National Gallery Trust, National Gallery Chair of Trustees John Booth and other donors who prefer to remain anonymous.
Kengo Kuma said “It is a privilege to join the National Gallery in this historic project. The National Gallery’s collection is a treasure of humanity, and to be entrusted with the expansion that will hold these masterpieces is a responsibility we carry with the greatest care and humility.”
