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 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.
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 seven shortlisted teams were announced in August 2025, and represent celebrated and emerging talent from around the world. Over the last few months, the teams have developed concept designs for the new museum, which are available to view in this online gallery.
The competition’s Advisory Panel will interview the shortlist in the late Fall before making a recommendation to the Foundation’s Board. A winner announcement is expected in early 2026.
-
AAU Anastas
Palestine / France / Jordan
With Landscape Design – Florent Clier; Exhibition Design – dUCKS; Engineering – Webb Yates; and Lighting Consultant – Studio Gelatic.
-
heneghan peng architects
Ireland
With Landscape Design – Agence Ter and Lara Zureikat; Exhibition Design – Cookies; Engineering – Arup; and Lighting Consultant – Kardorff.
-
Níall McLaughlin Architects
UK
With Landscape Design – Kim Wilkie Landscape; Exhibition Design – Nissen Richards Studio; Engineering – Arup; and Lighting Consultant – Studio ZNA.
-
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.
-
Tatiana Bilbao ESTUDIO
Mexico
With Landscape Design – Bureau Bas Smets; Exhibition Design – Tatiana Bilbao ESTUDIO; Engineering – Sener; and Lighting Consultant – CUBE.BZ.
-
Toshiko Mori Architect
US
With Landscape Design – West 8; Exhibition Design – Atelier Tsuyoshi Tane Architects; Engineering – Arup; and Lighting Consultant – Kilt Planning.
-
Trahan Architects
US
With Landscape Design – Doxiadis+; Exhibition Design – Ralph Appelbaum Associates; Engineering – Buro Happold; and Lighting Consultant – Tillotson Design Associates.
