French-Lebanese Architect Lina Ghotmeh To Lead British Museum Gallery Redesign.
The British Museum has selected French-Lebanese architect Lina Ghotmeh to oversee a major redesign of its Western Range galleries, which includes the section housing the highly contested Parthenon Marbles.
Announcing the decision on Friday, the museum revealed that Ghotmeh was chosen from over 60 applicants who entered the competition launched last year. The selection panel praised her “deep understanding and sensitivity towards the museum,” with British Museum director Nicholas Cullinan describing her as “an architect of extraordinary grace and gravitas.”
Ghotmeh, who grew up in Beirut, has an impressive portfolio of architectural achievements, including the Hermès Leather Workshop in Louviers, France, the Estonian National Museum in Tartu, and the Stone Garden Housing project in Beirut.
Expressing her excitement for the project, Ghotmeh said she looked forward to “transforming this section of the museum into an extraordinary space.”
Early design models showcase a minimalist yet elegant layout, with artefacts displayed in open spaces framed by grand archways.
Parthenon Marbles at the Centre of Debate
The Western Range galleries house artefacts from ancient Rome, Egypt, the Middle East, and Greece—including the Parthenon Marbles, which have been at the heart of a long-running dispute between Britain and Greece.
The 2,500-year-old sculptures originally adorned the Parthenon temple in Athens, dedicated to the city’s patron goddess, Athena. Greek authorities argue that the marbles were taken unlawfully in 1802 by Lord Elgin, then the British ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, and have since campaigned for their return.
The British government, however, maintains that the sculptures were “legally acquired” by Elgin before being sold to the British Museum.
One of Ghotmeh’s preliminary designs appears to feature friezes resembling the Parthenon Marbles set seamlessly against the museum walls. However, the museum’s announcement did not directly address the ongoing debate regarding their future.
Ghotmeh and her team will now begin developing detailed plans, with the redesign expected to take shape over the coming years. As the British Museum embarks on this transformation, the project may reignite discussions about the rightful home of the historic sculptures.