Western Range concept designs go on public display as Studio Weave is appointed to design new pavilionsSource: Studio WeaveInitial concept design for the pavilion withinthe museums forecourt on Great Russell StreetThe British Museum has announced that Studio Weave, leading a multidisciplinary team including Wright & Wright Architects, Webb Yates Engineers, Tom Massey Studio, and Daisy Froud, has been selected to design new visitor welcome pavilions as part of its wider masterplan.The pavilions are intended to improve the experience of visitors arriving via the museums forecourt on Great Russell Street and from Montague Place. The new structures, which will incorporate soft landscaping, are expected to be complete by spring 2026, subject to planning approval.Nicholas Cullinan, director of the British Museum, commented: As the most visited building in the UK, and one of the top three most visited museums in the world, first impressions count. With the visitor welcome pavilions were striving to create the most inspiring greeting possible for the 6.2 million people (and counting) from across the nation and around the world who come through our doors each year whether its their first visit or fifteenth, aged 5 or 95.Je Ahn, founding director of Studio Weave, stated: Our proposal aims to resolve complex issues on the site. The project will preserve the appearance of the historic Grade I listed buildings, address the changing climate, and look forward to the future of the institution. It will also introduce new soft landscaping and plants, dotted with engaging installations encouraging curiosity and becoming a memorable highlight of every visit.> Also read:British Museum names finalists in competition to create new entrance experiencesThe pavilions form part of the British Museums broader masterplan, a long-term programme intended to improve the museums infrastructure and visitor experience. This includes a major overhaul of the Western Range, which holds one-third of the Museums gallery space, along with significant back-of-house areas.The competition to select the lead architect for the Western Range project is ongoing, with submissions from five shortlisted teams 6a architects, David Chipperfield Architects, Eric Parry Architects and Jamie Fobert Architects, Lina Ghotmeh Architecture, and OMA currently on public display in the museums reading room.Russell Torrance director of estates and capital projects at the museum said:The purpose of this competition is to identify a team the British Museum can work with on a long-term basis to reimagine its Western Range galleries for future generations.Rather than seeking a fixed outcome in the form of a concept design, the competition is structured around exercises that will assess the working methods and approach of the design teams: the competition format allows us to engage with shortlisted teams over an extended period of time and as such weve sought to make our requirements accessible and interesting.Source: 6a architectsSource: 6a architectsSource: 6a architectsSource: David Chipperfield ArchitectsSource: David Chipperfield ArchitectsSource: David Chipperfield ArchitectsSource: Eric Parry Architects and Jamie Fobert ArchitectsSource: Eric Parry Architects and Jamie Fobert ArchitectsSource: Eric Parry Architects and Jamie Fobert ArchitectsSource: Lina Ghotmeh ArchitectureSource: Lina Ghotmeh ArchitectureSource: Lina Ghotmeh ArchitectureSource: OMASource: OMASource: OMA1/15show captionThe submissions will be evaluated by a ten-member panel, headed by George Osborne, chair of the museums board of trustees.As part of its masterplan, the museum is also progressing other key projects, including the recently completed British Museum Archaeological Research Collection facility in Reading and the construction of a new Energy Centre at its Camden site. The Energy Centre is intended to phase out fossil fuel use and align with the museums decarbonisation targets.