The Museum of London and Malcolm Reading Consultants launched an international search for an outstanding architect or team of architects to create a new building for the museum at West Smithfield in the City of London.

The project at the heart of the two-stage design competition has a £130-150m construction budget, and is focused on regenerating a nationally-significant landmark and creating new contemporary galleries within a group of historic buildings on the West Smithfield site.

The Museum of London is one of the top ten museums and galleries in the UK capital and responsible for the world’s largest archaeological archive, which currently holds six million artefacts.

The Smithfield area, close to the much-anticipated Crossrail interchange at Farringdon, is expected to experience rapid economic growth as new transport links transform access.

The competition has been designed to be sympathetic to emerging designers, as well as established museum specialists. The turnover threshold for entrants has been set relatively low (in relation to project value) at £2m and collaborations between architects are encouraged.

No design is sought at the first stage. At the second stage a panel will select at least five shortlisted designers, who will be briefed and asked to produce design concepts which reuse a number of fine Victorian buildings on the circa 25,000 sqm site. These include the now disused General Market, the Fish Market and the triangular Red House.

The deadline to enter the competition is 14:00 GMT Tuesday 15 March 2016.

The shortlist for the second stage is expected to be announced in the spring and, following a public exhibition of the shortlisted entries, the winning team is expected to be announced in summer 2016.

The museum’s aim is to achieve planning permission, raise the necessary capital funds and deliver the new museum in 2021.

Full details of the competition, including the entry portal, are available on the dedicated website:

https://competitions.malcolmreading.co.uk/museumoflondon