BD looks at the five-strong shortlist for the expansion of a London museum into its surrounding churchyard

The five practices shortlisted in the competition to expand the Garden Museum presented their proposals last week. The project envisages an extensive redevelopment of the museum’s existing facility, housed in a former church in central London. A first phase fit-out of the building was undertaken in 2008 to a competition-winning design by Dow Jones Architects. The practice features again on the new shortlist, along with Pringle Richards Sharratt, Witherford Watson Mann, Hugh Broughton Architects and Zombory-Moldovan Moore Architects.

The new brief is for a substantially larger project than phase one, with a budget estimated in the region of £4.8 million. It comprises further remodelling of the church’s interior to accommodate additional display space as well as an extension or standalone building in the churchyard. A new café, education space and archive are among the brief’s largest components.

The competition jury included Garden Museum trustees Mark Fane, Colin Campbell-Preston, Lady Egremont and Tom Stuart-Smith as well as the museum’s director and deputy director, Christopher Woodward and Anna Cullum, plus procurement advisor Malcolm Hill of Pierce Hill and BD executive editor Ellis Woodman.

The jury’s preferred scheme was set to be presented to the full board of trustees this week, with the winner being made public thereafter.

© Building Design 2013 

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