Aims

Develop a world class welcome
Establish a strong sequence of positive first impressions through arrival, security, wayfinding and non-collection areas to the Gallery’s interconnecting top floor, while also enhancing the experience with new orientation and information space. 

Improve the quality of the visitor experience
Resolve the design and operational shortcomings of the Sainsbury Wing entrance sequence and deepen the audience’s understanding of, and connection with, the collection. 

Give the Sainsbury Wing greater presence on Trafalgar Square
Affirm the visibility of the Wing through public realm interventions and optimise the contribution of these spaces to allow the building to relate more strongly to the main Wilkins Building and improve visitor welcome. 

Create a new Research Centre
Create world-leading research facilities that communicate the Gallery’s work as a global thought-leader and support its growing research community as well as providing an open-access resource for research in art history, the digital humanities, conservation and heritage science. 

Support self-generated income goal
Create spaces for revenue-generating opportunities (events, sales and membership) to reduce the Gallery’s dependence on public funding. 

Enable the new remodelled spaces to promote health and well-being
Demonstrate good standards of hygiene, ventilation and water systems, as well as well-planned access and respite spaces that are generous and pleasant spaces to stay in. 

Strive for architectural excellence
Reimagine the Sainsbury Wing so that it is inspiring, memorable and reflects the Gallery’s status as a national and global icon – and is respectful of the heritage context. 

Future-proof
Anticipate wider cultural and environmental sustainability initiatives and seek to respond to the needs of new audiences, as well as long-term behaviour changes following the Covid-19 pandemic.