The National Gallery in London has completed a £85 million refurbishment of its Sainsbury Wing, which opens to the public this weekend after two years of closure. Designed by architect Annabel Selldorf, the renovation transformed the previously dark, low-ceilinged foyer into a bright, open space with clear glass, removed columns, digital HD screens, and new amenities including Bar Giorgio and the Locatelli Italian restaurant. The reopening coincides with 'Wonder of Art', a major rehang of around 1,000 works from the gallery's European painting collection.
This revamp matters because it reimagines the entrance to one of the world's most renowned art museums, addressing long-standing criticism of the original 1991 Sainsbury Wing design by Robert Venturi and Denise Scott Brown. The project, part of the gallery's bicentenary celebrations, enhances visitor experience with improved accessibility, a welcoming foyer, and a contemporary link between historic artworks and modern design. It also signals the National Gallery's commitment to evolving its public spaces to meet 21st-century expectations.