MUMA were the winning architects to design an extension for the Whitworth Art Gallery in 2015 with a budget of £15 million, transforming the gallery, doubling it in size and creating new spaces to embrace the park it calls home. Situated a few miles from Manchester City Centre, the Whitworth expansion offered the opportunity to create additional exhibition, café and education spaces and to connect the building to its setting.

Practices shortlisted for the competition were Amanda Levete Architects, Edward Cullinan Architects, Haworth Tompkins and Stanton Williams.

Funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Arts Council England.

Awards
Art Fund Museum of the Year 2015
RIBA National Award
RIBA North West Award
RIBA North West Conservation Award
RIBA North West Building of the Year
Visit England Gold Accolade
International Design
Architects Journal Retrofit Awards 2015 – Cultural & Public Buildings
Architects Journal Retrofit Awards 2015 – Heritage Listed Buildings
Leading Culture Destinations Awards 2015 (Best Emerging Culture Destination – Europe)
The Blueprint Awards 2015 - Best Public Use Project with Public Funding – Commended
Manchester Building of the Year (Chamber of Commerce Awards)
Brick Award for Best Public Building
Winner of the British Gypsom National Trophy – Plaster category 2016
North West Regional Construction Awards 2016 – Project of the Year – Highly Commended

“The Whitworth Art Gallery is now an art space of international quality, with unrivalled study access to its collections. It is also, and just as importantly, a place where very different kinds of people feel comfortable about coming together.” Maria Balshaw, director, Whitworth and Manchester City Galleries