Bute Park Art Gallery Design Competition

Design Circle has launched a free-to-enter ideas competition for a temporary art gallery in Bute Park, Cardiff. The site holds the foundations of a gallery commissioned by the Marquess of Bute to house his art collection beside the park’s Animal Wall, a building that was never completed after the outbreak of the Second World War. Registration closes on 20 October 2026 and submissions are due on 16 November 2026.

The organisers see the competition as a way to draw attention to an underused and somewhat neglected site, and to start a conversation about a contemporary art gallery in the Welsh capital. Entrants are asked to explore the design of a temporary gallery on the historic foundations.

The competition is open to architecture and design students, artists, architects, designers and other built environment professionals, working alone or in groups. To register, entrants email [email protected] with the subject line “Design Circle: Art Gallery Competition”, giving a team name if applicable and the names of all participants; each entry then receives a unique number used throughout judging. A site visit and informal discussion take place on 10 October at 10am at Brodies Café next to the site. The winner receives £1,000 and three honourable mentions receive a sponsor’s prize pack. Results will be presented at an exhibition and awards event on 27 November 2026.