The Museum of London and Malcolm Reading Consultants have launched an international search for an outstanding architect or team of architects to create a new building for the museum at West Smithfield in the City of London. The project at the heart of the two-stage design competition has a £130-150m construction budget, and is focused on regenerating a nationally-significant landmark and creating new contemporary galleries within a group of historic buildings on the West Smithfield site. The Museum of London is one of the top ten museums and galleries in the UK capital and responsible for the world’s largest archaeological archive, which currently holds six million artefacts.
The Smithfield area, close to the much-anticipated Crossrail interchange at Farringdon, is expected to experience rapid economic growth as new transport links transform access.
The competition has been designed to be sympathetic to emerging designers, as well as established museum specialists. The turnover threshold for entrants has been set relatively low (in relation to project value) at £2m and collaborations between architects are encouraged.
- Established and emerging designers encouraged; the latter through low turnover threshold of £2m and the opportunity to form collaborations
- Design challenge: to reuse fine Victorian buildings whilst making inspired contemporary interventions
- Broadcaster and journalist Evan Davis to chair jury
No design is sought at the first stage. At the second stage a panel will select at least five shortlisted designers, who will be briefed and asked to produce design concepts which reuse a number of fine Victorian buildings on the circa 25,000 sqm site. These include the now disused General Market and the Fish Market, and the triangular Red House.
You can download competition information here. The deadline for Expressions of Interest is at 14:00GMT on Tuesday, March 15 2016.
Title
Call for Entries: Museum of London West Smithfield International Design CompetitionType
Competition Announcement (Built Projects & Masterplans)Website
Organizers
Submission Deadline
March 15, 2016 12:00 PMVenue
London, United KingdomAddress
Price
Free