The British Museum has announced that architecture firm Studio Weave will design its new visitor welcome pavilions and forecourt after winning a design competition.
The winning project was submitted by a team led by Studio Weave, with Wright & Wright Architects, Webb Yates Engineers, Tom Massey Studio and Daisy Froud.
This team will now develop the designs and prepare a planning application, with the new pavilions expected to be in place by spring 2026.
The project is part of the museum’s wider masterplan, which involves renovating and transforming the site, and building new storage and research facilities near Reading.
“As the most visited building in the UK, and one of the top three most visited museums in the world, first impressions count,” said Nicholas Cullinan, director of the British Museum.
The institution intends 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”, he added.
Cullinan said: “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.”
Je Ahn, founding director of Studio Weave, said the 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”.
Project part of museum’s masterplan
Ahn added: “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 British Museum is looking for an architectural team to transform more than a third of its gallery space on the building’s western side.
Five teams have now been shortlisted, with the winner to be announced in spring of next year. These are: 6a architects, David Chipperfield Architects, Eric Parry Architects & Jamie Fobert Architects, Lina Ghotmeh — Architecture, and OMA.
Images courtesy of the British Museum and Studio Weave
The post British Museum announces architecture firm to design visitor entry experience appeared first on Blooloop.