Finalists’ Gallery
This online gallery showcases the seven shortlisted teams’ concepts in the competition for a new museum to honor Jesus Christ’s Baptism at Bethany, Jordan.
The Museum of Jesus Baptism at Bethany, Jordan International Design Competition invited teams to respond to a brief that called for an exemplary story-led museum and garden in a sacred place surrounded by a preserved wilderness – a setting dedicated to the history and significance of baptism in the Christian faith. The new museum is due to open in 2030 to mark the bimillennial of Christ’s baptism and is expected to be a globally significant spiritual and cultural landmark.
Teams developed concept designs for the new museum, which were revealed in an online gallery in October 2025.
The competition’s Advisory Panel met in late Fall 2025 to interview the shortlist before making a recommendation to the Foundation’s Board.
The multi-disciplinary team led by Níall McLaughlin Architects (NMLA) was announced as the competition’s winner in February 2026.
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Níall McLaughlin Architects
UK
With Local Consultant – Engicon; Landscape Design – Kim Wilkie Landscape; Exhibition Design – Nissen Richards Studio; Lighting Consultant – Studio ZNA; and Daylight & Shadow Studies – Arup.
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AAU Anastas
Palestine / France / Jordan
With Landscape Design – Florent Clier; Exhibition Design – dUCKS; Engineering – Webb Yates; and Lighting Consultant – Studio Gelatic.
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heneghan peng architects
Ireland
With Landscape Design – Agence Ter and Lara Zureikat; Exhibition Design – Cookies; Engineering – Arup; and Lighting Consultant – Kardorff.
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Studio Anne Holtrop
Bahrain / Netherlands
With Landscape Design – Atelier Miething and Mazen Daqaq; Exhibition Design – Imagination; Engineering – Atkins Realis; and Lighting Consultant – Rogier van der Heide.
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Tatiana Bilbao ESTUDIO
Mexico
With Landscape Design – Bureau Bas Smets; Exhibition Design – Tatiana Bilbao ESTUDIO; Engineering – Sener; and Lighting Consultant – CUBE.BZ.
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Toshiko Mori Architect
US
With Landscape Design – West 8; Exhibition Design – Atelier Tsuyoshi Tane Architects; Engineering – Arup; and Lighting Consultant – Kilt Planning.
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Trahan Architects
US
With Landscape Design – Doxiadis+; Exhibition Design – Ralph Appelbaum Associates; Engineering – Buro Happold; and Lighting Consultant – Tillotson Design Associates.
