Níall McLaughlin
Architects

NMLA SHORTLISTED FOR NEW MUSEUM TO HONOR JESUS CHRIST’S BAPTISM AT BETHANY, JORDAN

AUGUST 2025

Níall McLaughlin Architects is 1 of 7 practices shortlisted for the Malcolm Reading Consultants managed competition. Due to open in 2030 to mark the bimillennial of Christ’s baptism, the new museum is expected to be a globally significant spiritual and cultural landmark. The project is endorsed by His Majesty King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and is led by the Foundation for the Development of the Lands Adjacent to the Baptism Site (the Foundation).

Dr Tharwat Al Masalha, Chair of the Jordan Foundation’s Board, said:

‘This project is one of the most significant cultural commissions in Jordan’s recent history. It reflects a national ambition to enrich the experience of visiting the Baptism Site for pilgrims, scholars, visitors and tourists alike.

‘The museum will honor the site’s spiritual value and importance, while also expressing Jordan’s enduring history as part of the Holy Land and its commitment to peace and plurality.

‘Confirming the shortlist brings us closer to creating a museum at one of the most sacred and spiritually resonant sites in the region.

‘We congratulate the finalist teams and look forward to seeing their design concepts in the Fall.’

More information is available on the Malcolm Reading website here.

SUMMER OF WORK EXPERIENCE AT NMLA

SEPTEMBER 2024

Over a 4-week period this summer, we were delighted to host eight work experience students from a range of London state schools and sixth-form colleges. Our programme aims to inspire and provide insight into architectural practice through a bespoke week-long project involving a brief, site survey, research and consultation, design, drawing, image and model making, and presentation. Attending in pairs (and mostly having never met before), all four sets of students choose to work together on design proposals. It was wonderful to see their lively exchange of ideas, evolving team work and complementary skillsets being developed. Members of staff volunteered in pairs to support the students with their design project but also held portfolio review sessions for those interested in applying for architecture degrees, and involved the students in office meetings and design reviews. At the end of each week, a larger group of staff gathered for the students’ presentations as an informal crit, celebrating the excellent work and relaying constructive feedback. We’d like to thank Manar and Zain, Katerina and Khaterah, Megan and Wasim, and Kacper and Ayushi, and wish them all well for their future studies.