Architects have until 13 November to apply for the ideas contest, which allows for a new building or the redesign of existing structures of up to 3,000sqm.Rome’s Galleria Borghese has moved ahead with plans to expand, launching an international architecture competition to find ways of increasing the museum’s space, accessibility and services.The contest, announced on Tuesday, is sponsored by Proger, the Italian engineering firm, with the backing of Rome city council. It follows months of debate over the idea of building near the 17th-century villa in Villa Borghese park.   What the competition asks for Entrants may propose a new building or the redesign of existing structures, with a maximum surface area of 3,000 square metres, including outdoor works. The functions listed include: displaying masterpieces now kept in storage, hosting major temporary exhibitions, conservation and restoration laboratories, educational areas, conference rooms, a bookshop and catering, and advanced digital infrastructure. The aim is to ease pressure on the villa that houses the stellar art collection -  including masterpieces by Bernini, Caravaggio and Raphael - and to improve access for people with disabilities and school groups. Proposals must respect the site’s heritage protections and prioritise environmental sustainability. Entrants are asked to protect the park’s trees and ensure a net gain in vegetation once any work is finished. Timetable and prizes The competition has two phases and is run online through the platform of the Rome Order of Architects. The first phase is open to all qualified professionals, individually or in groups. Applications must be submitted by midday on 13 November 2026. A maximum of five finalists will then submit anonymous designs by 18 March 2027. An independent jury will name the winner by 14 May 2027. The winner will receive €500,750 as both prize and fee for completing a technical and economic feasibility study. The other four finalists will receive €25,000 each. Not a building project Gallery director Francesca Cappelletti described the competition as a way to gain “a non-binding perspective for the future”. Proger chief executive Marco Lombardi said the entries would be a gift to the gallery, the culture ministry and Rome city council, which will decide what to do with them. “It’s not a building site, it’s not a building, it’s not even a drawing yet,” he said. The plans have drawn criticism. When they were first presented in May, heritage groups Italia Nostra Roma and the Bianchi Bandinelli Association opposed any new building beside the villa, while some politicians called for Cappelletti’s resignation. Cappelletti said at the time that no project had been drawn up and no site chosen. The gallery, which is run by the culture ministry, stands in a park owned by Rome city council, meaning the council will have a decisive say in any approval. Visitor numbers at the gallery are capped at 360 at a time, for sessions of up to two hours. More than 630,000 people visited in 2025, and tickets are often sold out for weeks. About 200 works remain in storage. Photo credit: Luciano Romano - Galleria Borghese

Rome’s Galleria Borghese has moved ahead with plans to expand, launching an international architecture competition to find ways of increasing the museum’s space, accessibility and services. The contest, announced on Tuesday, is sponsored by Proger, the Italian engineering firm, with the backing of Rome city council. It follows months of debate over the idea of building near the 17th-century villa in Villa Borghese park.   Entrants may propose a new building or the redesign of existing structures, with a maximum surface area of 3,000 square metres, including outdoor works. The functions listed include: displaying masterpieces now kept in storage, hosting major temporary exhibitions, conservation and restoration laboratories, educational areas, conference rooms, a bookshop and catering, and advanced digital infrastructure. The aim is to ease pressure on the villa that houses the stellar art collection -  including masterpieces by Bernini, Caravaggio and Raphael - and to improve access for people with disabilities and school groups. Proposals must respect the site’s heritage protections and prioritise environmental sustainability. Entrants are asked to protect the park’s trees and ensure a net gain in vegetation once any work is finished. The competition has two phases and is run online through the platform of the Rome Order of Architects. The first phase is open to all qualified professionals, individually or in groups. Applications must be submitted by midday on 13 November 2026. A maximum of five finalists will then submit anonymous designs by 18 March 2027. An independent jury will name the winner by 14 May 2027. The winner will receive €500,750 as both prize and fee for completing a technical and economic feasibility study. The other four finalists will receive €25,000 each. Gallery director Francesca Cappelletti described the competition as a way to gain “a non-binding perspective for the future”. Proger chief executive Marco Lombardi said the entries would be a gift to the gallery, the culture ministry and Rome city council, which will decide what to do with them. “It’s not a building site, it’s not a building, it’s not even a drawing yet,” he said. The plans . When they were first presented in May, heritage groups Italia Nostra Roma and the Bianchi Bandinelli Association opposed any new building beside the villa, while some politicians called for Cappelletti’s resignation. Cappelletti said at the time that no project had been drawn up and no site chosen. The gallery, which is run by the culture ministry, stands in a park owned by Rome city council, meaning the council will have a decisive say in any approval. Visitor numbers at the gallery are capped at 360 at a time, for sessions of up to two hours. More than 630,000 people visited in 2025, and tickets are often sold out for weeks. About 200 works remain in storage. Photo credit: Luciano Romano - Galleria Borghese