Courtauld Gallery gears up for November reopening following modernisation
London's Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House is set for November reopening following extensive modernisation by architecture studio Witherford Watson Mann

Witherford Watson Mann (WWM) has competed its modernisation of London's Courtauld Gallery. The much loved art destination in Somerset House has been undergoing extensive reimagining by the Stirling Prize-winning architects for some five years, but has just announced a November return to the capital's cultural scene.
Working through the gallery with surgical precision, the architects have refreshed the building, completely reintepreting the visitor's journey, and restoring and enhancing spaces within. The institution is made up of ‘disconnected houses/vertical buildings originally constructed to provide homes to a varied set of government offices and learned societies', say the architects. Using historical references and a keen eye for sensitively mixing old and new, WWM has worked hard to balance the needs of a heritage building with those of a prime, 21st century cultural landmark.
This includes the restored Blavatnik Fine Rooms and the (newly named) LVMH Great Room – London’s oldest exhibition space, which was previously subdivided into smaller sections and will now be used to display Impressionist work. Alongside them, a brand new gallery has been created on the first floor for The Courtauld’s collection of paintings and decorative arts from the Medieval and Early Renaissance periods.
Apart from the gallery, the transformation has also addressed The Courtauld’s facilities for teaching, research and students. This part of the project is much about functionality and the experiencing of art by everyone, as accessibility will be dramatically improved, and encompasses a redesigned reception area, carefully thought-out lighting, non-reflective showcase glass ramps, and a lift.
‘This ambitious transformation project reimagines Sir William Chambers’ masterpiece to make it a public building fit for the 21st century,’ says practice co-director Stephen Witherford. ‘Through a careful balance of studious conservation and bold intervention we wanted to reveal the layers of the building’s evolution. Opening up spaces and transforming the layout of the building will provide a more versatile infrastructure for exhibition and exchange in a way that resonates with the distinctive characteristics of Chambers’ original design.'
The Courtauld’s collection, which includes masterpieces ranging from the Middle Ages to the 20th century, will relaunch with a variety of shows, the display of Oskar Kokoschka’s epic modern painting, The Myth of Prometheus (which is the largest work in the collection), and a new, contemporary commission by artist Cecily Brown.
INFORMATION
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
Ellie Stathaki is the Architecture & Environment Director at Wallpaper*. She trained as an architect at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Greece and studied architectural history at the Bartlett in London. Now an established journalist, she has been a member of the Wallpaper* team since 2006, visiting buildings across the globe and interviewing leading architects such as Tadao Ando and Rem Koolhaas. Ellie has also taken part in judging panels, moderated events, curated shows and contributed in books, such as The Contemporary House (Thames & Hudson, 2018), Glenn Sestig Architecture Diary (2020) and House London (2022).
-
The gayest love story ever told: Jeremy Atherton Lin's memoir is a tribute to home
In 'Deep House: The Gayest Love Story Ever Told', Jeremy Atherton Lin mixes memoir with a historical deep-dive into marriage equlaity
-
This monumental Valentino book is a true Italian fashion epic
Spanning oral testimony, sketches and magazine spreads, ‘Valentino: A Grand Italian Epic’ (published by Taschen) charts the career of Valentino Garavani, whose mononymous Roman house would define a vision of Italian glamour
-
At the Royal Academy summer show, architecture and art combine as never before
The Royal Academy summer show is about to open in London; we toured the iconic annual exhibition and spoke to its curator for architecture, Farshid Moussavi
-
Get lost in Megan Rooney’s abstract, emotional paintings
The artist finds worlds in yellow and blue at Thaddaeus Ropac London
-
Out of office: the Wallpaper* editors’ picks of the week
It was a jam-packed week for the Wallpaper* staff, entailing furniture, tech and music launches and lots of good food – from afternoon tea to omakase
-
London calling! Artists celebrate the city at Saatchi Yates
London has long been an inspiration for both superstar artists and newer talent. Saatchi Yates gathers some of the best
-
Alexandra Metcalf creates an unsettling Victorian world in London
Alexandra Metcalf turns The Perimeter into a alternate world in exhibition, 'Gaaaaaaasp'
-
Lubaina Himid and Magda Stawarska’s new show at Kettle’s Yard will uncover the missing narratives in everyday life stories
The artists and partners in life are collaborating on an immersive takeover of Kettle’s Yard, Cambridge, in an exhibition that delves into a lost literary legacy
-
Sexual health since 1987: archival LGBTQIA+ posters on show at Studio Voltaire
A look back at how grassroots movements emphasised the need for effective sexual health for the LGBTQIA+ community with a host of playful and informative posters, now part of a London exhibition
-
Ten things to see at London Gallery Weekend
As 125 galleries across London take part from 6-8 June 2025, here are ten things not to miss, from David Hockney’s ‘Love’ series to Kayode Ojo’s look at the superficiality of taste
-
Out of office: what the Wallpaper* editors have been up to this week
This week saw the Wallpaper* team jet-setting to Jordan and New York; those of us left in London had to make do with being transported via the power of music at rooftop bars, live sets and hologram performances