Paris-based Lina Ghotmeh—Architecture, LG—A—has won the competition to redesign the Wester Range galleries in the British Museum. The project, which is part of the museum’s long-term initiative to modernize its Bloomsbury site while maintaining its historic integrity, will be one of the biggest cultural renovations undertaken anywhere in the world. The redesign will cover approximately 15,650 square meters, including a third of the museum’s gallery space. Initial designs for the project are projected to be completed by mid-2026.
“My team and I are thrilled to embark on this journey,” Lina Ghotmeh said in a statement. “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.”
Lina Ghotmeh’s architectural submission for the Western Range.
The decision is the result of a rigorous international competition that ran for nine months. Over 60 teams applied, from which five shortlisted teams were invited to take part in the second state, from which LG—A emerged as the winner. LG—A was said to have shown a deep understanding and sensitivity towards the museum, the complexity of collections’ display and artifact’s interactions with diverse visitor groups, according to the press release.
The panel especially loved how Lebanese-born Ghotmeh looked at a building’s past to support the reimagination and ‘story’ of its future, likening each new project to an archaeological dig with an interest in the use of natural materials.
Lina Ghotmeh’s architectural submission for the Western Range.
“Lina Ghotmeh is an architect of extraordinary grace and gravitas,” said Dr. Nicholas Cullinan, director of the British Museum, in a statement. “Her team’s proposals demonstrated an exceptional and materially sensitive architectural vision for the British Museum, and their ‘archaeological’ approach clearly understood the ambition for this project to be as much an intellectual transformation as an architectural one.”
Lina Ghotmeh and Nicholas Cullinan in the Western Range.
Lina Ghotmeh has steadily built an international reputation for her thoughtful and innovative designs. Having won and been nominated for high-profile awards including the Schelling Architecture Prize 2020 and the Mies Van der Rohe Award 2017, Ghotmeh is known for her ability to blend cultural narratives with environmental consciousness. She seeks to create buildings that not only respond to the historical and social contexts of their surroundings but also anticipate future needs, particularly in terms of sustainability and human interaction. Her work includes the recently completed Hermès Leather Workshop in Louviers, in Normandy, which opened in 2023, the «Stone Garden» in Beirut, and a Serpentine Pavilion in London’s Hyde Park.
Rachel Silva is the associate digital editor at ELLE DECOR, where she covers all things design, architecture, and lifestyle. She also oversees the publication’s feature article coverage, and is, at any moment, knee-deep in an investigation on everything from the best spa gifts to the best faux florals on the internet right now. She has more than 16 years of experience in editorial, working as a photo assignment editor at Time and acting as the president of Women in Media in NYC. She went to Columbia Journalism School, and her work has been nominated for awards from ASME, the Society of Publication Designers, and World Press Photo.
