Turin Civic Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art

The competition will select a team to revitalise and enhance the landmark gallery – known locally as GAM – which was founded in 1895 and relocated to its current Carlo Bassi and Goffredo Boschetti-designed complex in 1959.

The project – backed by the City of Turin, Fondazione Compagnia di San Paolo and Fondazione per l’architettura / Torino – will redevelop, repurpose and enhance the venue which houses the city’s permanent collections of 19th and 20th century art including more than 47,000 paintings, sculptures, installations and films.

Stefano Lo Russo, mayor of Turin said: ‘For the GAM, which plays a strategic role in Turin’s cultural landscape, a season of revival has begun, aimed at strengthening its international prestige.

‘This renewal focuses on the collections and the exhibition layout, thanks to the work done by the new director Chiara Bertola, and on the redevelopment of the architectural complex, which aims to restore the museum to its former glory, reviving the avant-garde spirit that characterised its inception.

‘As an administration, we have supported this project from the outset, seeing culture as a defining feature of Turin today and in the future. Investing in culture always has a positive impact on the quality of life of citizens and on the promotion of the city.’

GAM was founded in 1895 and relocated to its current site on Via Magenta after its original city centre home was destroyed by allied bombing in 1942. The gallery’s current home opened in 1959 and closed in the 1980s for a lengthy refurbishment which saw the gallery eventually reopen in 1993.

The latest project aims to embrace environmental sustainability and energy saving while also promoting the venue’s historic identity. Key aims include transforming the complex into an open and accessible ‘piazza’ which blends into its surrounding urban context.

The contest’s initial round is open with applicants required to submit CVs and qualifications. Five shortlisted teams – due to be notified on 18 July – will be given until 16 October to draw up concepts for the renewal.

The overall winner – due to be announced on 27 November – will receive a €100,000 prize, which will also serve as an advance payment towards the fees for project development. A second prize of €50,000, third prize of €30,000, and a fourth and fifth prize each worth €20,000 will also be awarded.