National Gallery unveils revised Selldorf upgrade designs

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Latest images of £30m proposals come ahead of planning application submission this summer

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The National Gallery has released refined proposals for Selldorf Architects’ £30m upgrade of its Trafalgar Square buildings, designed to mark the institution’s 200^th anniversary in 2024.

New York practice Selldorf beat a shortlist including David Chipperfield Architects, Caruso St John, Witherford Watson Mann, Asif Khan, Donald Insall, Publica and David Kohn Architects to land the NG200 project in July last year. In February it went public with its initial designs.

Now the National Gallery has put out further images of more detailed proposals for reconfiguring the grade I-listed buildings, worked up following an initial round of public consultation earlier this year.

They include remodelling the façade of the Sainsbury Wing to provide lighter coloured gates and a newly configured lobby area, removing the build-up of queues of people outside waiting to enter, and replacing the existing darker glass to let more natural light into the foyer. Parts of the ceiling will also be removed to create more open space and clearer views across Trafalgar Square.

Source: Selldorf Architects

The Sainsbury Wing lobby proposals created as part of Selldorf Architects’ NG200 designs for upgrading the National Gallery

Other work will see the creation of a new and refurbished library and reading room, as well as a new archival store and accessible storage. The Pigott Education Centre will be redesigned and refurbished and new offices for staff, research fellows and students will be provided.

The project also seeks to make better use of back-of-house spaces within the gallery, including an updated research centre and a dedicated members space, designed to increase the commercial sustainability of the gallery long-term.

Public-realm changes immediately outside the gallery will see new seating, paving, and trees installed on Trafalgar Square.

Source: Vogt Landscape Limited

Public realm proposals created as part of Selldorf Architects’ NG200 designs for upgrading the National Gallery

Drop-in events as part of a second round of consultation on the proposals are being held at the Sainsbury Wing on Thursday 26 May, from 1pm to 5pm, and on Saturday 28 May, from 10am to 2pm.

The National Gallery said it expected to submit a planning application for the proposals later in the summer. The initial phase of works is expected to be complete by 2024

Selldorf Architects’ team includes Purcell, Vogt Landscape, Arup, AEA Consulting, Pentagram, Kaizen, L’Observatoire and Kendrick Hobbs.