The National Gallery's shortlist for designing its proposed new extension has drawn criticism for its conservative approach, featuring several renowned but aging architects while potentially overlooking more innovative choices. The six-architect shortlist includes Norman Foster, 90, Renzo Piano, 88, and Kengo Kuma, 71, leading critics to question whether the selection process prioritizes prestige over creativity.
The project, expected to become one of Britain's most significant new museum buildings, has assembled what some view as a predictable roster of established names. Foster and Piano, while acknowledged as great architects, represent what critics see as a safe but uninspiring approach to what should be a groundbreaking cultural project.
The shortlist does include younger and more diverse talent. Annabelle Selldorf, who designed the recent revamp of the gallery's Sainsbury Wing that opened earlier this year, brings experience in museum renovation. Christina Seilern, formerly associated with the late Rafael Viñoly who designed London's Walkie Talkie tower, has created works including a concert hall in Andermatt, Switzerland, a performing arts center for Wellington College in Berkshire, and elegant residential projects in Greece, Nigeria, and the British countryside.
The sixth finalist is Farshid Moussavi, whose recent Ismaili Center in Houston stands out as a cultural and educational venue specifically designed for Texas's hot and humid climate. The building features ceramic screens, shadowy overhangs, and a high geometric atrium that demonstrates architectural innovation responding to environmental challenges.
Critics argue that the selection process appears driven by institutional self-importance and donor prestige rather than genuine architectural merit. While Foster and Piano's well-resourced and experienced offices can be expected to deliver competent projects, questions arise about whether the National Gallery should settle for what might be among the less memorable works in their extensive portfolios.
Kuma's inclusion has drawn particular scrutiny following his work on the V&A Dundee, which was completed late, over budget, and resulted in what critics describe as an externally cumbersome and internally awkward building. His recent additions to the Gulbenkian Museum in Lisbon have been criticized for failing to resolve existing issues with the institution's buildings while adding new structures.
Selldorf's track record includes the expansion and enhancement of the Frick Collection in New York, demonstrating her ability to work sensitively with exceptional art collections. However, critics note that her work on the National Gallery's Sainsbury Wing has been described as bland and spiritless. The proposed project includes a prominent new building with significant external and internal impact, which may not align with her particular strengths.
Seilern's work, while stylish, lacks a specific track record for projects of this scale and significance. Among all the candidates, only Moussavi's Ismaili Center demonstrates both the grace and power that critics believe the National Gallery deserves, making her the most inspiring choice for such an important cultural project.
The overall selection reflects what appears to be a preference for famous labels over genuine architectural innovation. A more adventurous approach might have included one established master like Foster or Piano while taking calculated risks on younger, less predictable but potentially more innovative architects.
The shortlist's average age of approximately 71 years provides historical perspective on the conservative nature of the selection. William Wilkins, who designed the gallery's original building in the 1830s, had been dead for 10 years by age 71, suggesting that the officials who originally commissioned him were significantly more willing to take risks compared to today's decision-makers. This comparison highlights how the current approach may lack the bold vision that created one of London's most important cultural institutions nearly two centuries ago.
