The National Gallery in London has selected Japanese architecture firm Kengo Kuma and Associates to design a new £350m wing, scheduled to open in the early 2030s. Chosen from a shortlist of six finalists, Kuma’s design features a Portland stone exterior and will be constructed on the site of the soon-to-be-demolished St Vincent House. The extension will provide nearly double the space for temporary exhibitions and an additional 1,500 square meters for the permanent collection, connected via bridges to the existing Sainsbury Wing and Wilkins building.
This expansion is the centerpiece of 'Domani,' a broader £750m strategic initiative aimed at modernizing the institution and securing its financial future through a new endowment fund. Significantly, the new wing will house works from the late 19th century to the present day, reflecting Director Gabriele Finaldi’s recent decision to extend the gallery’s acquisition remit beyond its traditional 1900 cutoff. The project represents a major architectural shift for Trafalgar Square, introducing Kuma’s signature 'design elegance' and sensitive handling of light to one of Britain’s most historic cultural sites.