Plans for New National Gallery Unveiled at Osaka World Expo

On April 28, 2025, exciting plans for the New National Gallery to be built in Budapest’s City Park (Városliget) were revealed at the Hungarian Pavilion during the Osaka World Expo. Városliget Ltd. made this announcement, marking a significant milestone in the ongoing Liget Budapest Project.

Bringing Vision to Life

The grand vision for the gallery was presented by acclaimed architects Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa, founders of the Pritzker Prize-winning architectural firm SANAA. Their partnership has been celebrated internationally, earning the prestigious award in 2010 for their innovative contributions to architecture.

SANAA is renowned for its minimalist and refined architectural style, emphasizing light, transparency, and a harmonious relationship between buildings and their surroundings. Their esteemed projects include the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art in Kanazawa, Japan, and the Louvre-Lens Museum in France.

Visual of the New National Gallery in Budapest. Screenshot: YouTube / Liget Budapest – The Renewable City Park

A Cultural Landmark

The design by SANAA emerged victorious from an international competition, securing it as the final piece of the Liget Budapest Project. The new museum will replace the former Petőfi Hall and is set to showcase a vast collection of fine art, ranging from the early 19th century to the present day. The building will be characterized by its modern, airy design, extensive connections to City Park, and innovative exhibition spaces.

László Baán, ministerial commissioner of the Liget Budapest Project, expressed enthusiasm at the unveiling: “It was an incredible moment at the Hungarian Pavilion to see the plans for an extraordinary building that will be SANAA’s largest project to date.”

Future Generations and Cultural Heritage

If the vision laid out comes to fruition, Baán believes it will serve as a culturally significant legacy for future generations. He stated, “What we envisioned a decade ago, including the New National Gallery, will prove beneficial to the nation.”

Sejima highlighted the importance of integrating nature with art and architecture in their design philosophy. “When designing the New National Gallery, our goal was to ensure visitors feel a special connection between these elements,” she said. Her counterpart, Nishizawa, noted the deep influence of Budapest’s historic charm and City Park on their designs.

Kazuyo Sejima (left) and Ryue Nishizawa at the Osaka World Expo presenting the New National Gallery plans. Photo: MTI / Liget Budapest Project

Cultural Impact

Benedek Gyorgyevics, CEO of Városliget Zrt., remarked on the project’s potential to attract visitors and enhance cultural heritage, citing the annual ten million individual visitors to the City Park from initiatives under the Liget Project. He emphasized the gallery’s significance to Hungary’s future cultural landscape.

The plans for the New National Gallery embody a commitment to blending culture, nature, and modern architecture, promising to offer a unique experience when completed.

For more updates on the New National Gallery and other cultural initiatives, stay tuned.

[To view this article in Hungarian, click here: Helló Magyar]

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