Kengo Kuma Selected to Design Historic £350 Million Expansion for London’s National Gallery

Architect Kengo Kuma is set to design a major £350 million expansion for London’s National Gallery, adding significant space for contemporary and classical art.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 9, 2026, 4:36 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Wallpaper*

A Landmark Commission for Kengo Kuma

The National Gallery in London has announced that Kengo Kuma and Associates, in collaboration with UK firms BDP and MICA, has won the international competition to design a transformative new wing. The Tokyo based architect, renowned for the V&A Dundee and the Tokyo Olympic Stadium, was selected from a shortlist of industry giants including Norman Foster and Renzo Piano. The jury described Kuma’s vision as both "innovative and beautiful," successfully balancing the sensitivity required for a historic London site with the bold ambition of a 21st century international gallery.

Structural Details of the New Wing

The project, valued at £350 million, will replace St Vincent House, a 1960s era complex north of the existing Sainsbury Wing. The new structure will be clad in traditional Portland stone to harmonize with the gallery’s historic facade while introducing modern elements like landscaped gardens and a rooftop terrace with views over Leicester Square. A bridge will serve as a vital artery, connecting the new addition to both the Sainsbury Wing and the original 19th century Wilkins building, ensuring a seamless flow for millions of annual visitors.

Expanding the Canvas of Western Art

The expansion is set to provide 1,500 square metres of new permanent hanging space—a 15% increase—and 800 square metres for temporary exhibitions. Crucially, the new wing facilitates a historic pivot in the National Gallery’s collection strategy. By moving beyond the previous 1900 cutoff established in an agreement with the Tate, the gallery will now display paintings from the late 19th century through to the present day. This shift makes it the only museum globally to offer a comprehensive, uninterrupted narrative of the entire history of Western painting under one roof.