Architects sought for new Mumbai museum building

Malcolm Reading Consultants has announced a design competition for a new north wing at the Mumbai City Museum, also known as the Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum.

The wing is expected to be 85,000 – 110,000 sq ft, with new galleries, a café library, archive, conservation facilities, and a museum shop.

The winner will be selected by April 2014, with site preparation expected to start at the beginning of October 2014 after the monsoon.

It is intended that the centre of the wing will have a permanent gallery focusing on contemporary Mumbai that highlights its major cultural achievements.

Malcolm Reading, competition organiser, said: “This is an exceptional project, full of architectural potential on a wonderful site next to the existing Museum.

“We are searching the globe for designers who have clarity of expression to address the contemporary needs of the Museum but who also have sensitivity to the sense of place.

“We encourage local, regional and international expressions of interest and will be selecting a shortlist in late January who will be asked to make concept proposals.”

The museum itself, a sister museum of the V&A, dates back to the 19^th century and mixes Victorian interiors with Palladian architecture.

Deadline for registration is at 2pm on January 14^th at http://competitions.malcolmreading.co.uk/mumbai.