Scope
Description
Following our 200th anniversary celebrations, we are launching a landmark architectural competition for the design of a transformative new wing and public realm.
Our ambition is to create an architecturally distinguished, sustainable, and state-of-the-art new wing and public space.
The new wing will be built on the last remaining part of the National Gallery campus: St Vincent House. The property was acquired nearly 30 years ago, for the purpose of expanding gallery space, and currently houses a hotel and office complex.
The project aims to invigorate this corner of central London, connecting Trafalgar Square and Leicester Square. Embedding the Gallery as a cornerstone within London's arts quarter, it will also cement our reputation as a leader in the art world and the UK's commitment to culture and heritage.
The purpose of this competition is to find exceptional architects to take on the extraordinary responsibility that designing this new wing will entail. The selection of an architectural team will take place in two stages:
Stage 1: An open call for expressions of interest from architects that believe they meet the criteria specified in the competition brief.
Stage 2: Up to six architects will be shortlisted and will be asked to expand on how they might approach this specific project.
Total value (estimated)
- £15,000,000 excluding VAT
- £18,000,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 15 April 2026 to 31 December 2031
- 5 years, 8 months, 16 days
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 71220000 - Architectural design services
Contract locations
- UKI32 - Westminster
Participation
Legal and financial capacity conditions of participation
as stated in the documentation
Technical ability conditions of participation
as stated in the documentation
Particular suitability
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
Submission
Enquiry deadline
26 September 2025, 6:00pm
Submission type
Requests to participate
Deadline for requests to participate
17 October 2025, 12:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Suppliers to be invited to tender
5 to 6 suppliers
Selection criteria:
Assessment as set out in the documents
Award decision date (estimated)
3 April 2026
Award criteria
| Name | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Design concept | Quality | 40% |
| Fees | Cost | 30% |
| Design delivery methodology and resourcing | Quality | 15% |
| Social Value | Quality | 10% |
| Interview | Quality | 5% |
Other information
Description of risks to contract performance
Delays may occur due to external issues such as planning, archaeology, on-site discoveries etc. This could lead to an extension of the overall programme.
Applicable trade agreements
- Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Competitive flexible procedure
Competitive flexible procedure description
Stage 1:
-submission of PSQ to meet conditions of participation
-down selection of suppliers based on technical capability and capacity
-5 / 6 suppliers invited to tender
Stage 2:
-mid-tender technical meeting to review initial ideas
-tender submission
-site visit to all compliant suppliers
-optionally, to be determined, an exhibition of submission material
-interview of all compliant bids
Documents
Associated tender documents
https://www.delta-esourcing.com/tenders/UK-title/C2Z8RA73MZ
All queries and submissions must be made through the eProcurement portal.
Information is also available at https://colander.co.uk/architectural-competitions/colander-competitions/the-national-gallery
Documents to be provided after the tender notice
Stage 2 documentation will be issued to the shortlisted suppliers
Contracting authority
National Gallery
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PGYR-7259-GLQG
Trafalgar Square
London
WC2N 5DN
United Kingdom
Region: UKI32 - Westminster
Organisation type: Public authority - central government