Figure 1: Image of the Sydney Modern Project as produced by Kazuyo Sejima + Ryue Nishizawa/SANAA © Art Gallery of New South Wales 2018.
The design for the Sydney Modern Project comprises a series of eight state-of-the-art contemporary exhibition spaces assembled in an inter-connected sequence that transitions the sloping topography leading towards Sydney Harbour. The architectural and landscape works will transform the underutilised site north of the existing Art Gallery of New South Wales, which includes redundant World War II fuel bunkers that will be re-purposed for contemporary exhibition and performance activities.
On completion, AGNSW’s existing floor area will be almost doubled, delivering significant cultural, environmental, social and economic benefits to NSW by providing state-of-the-art exhibition facilities for local and international visitors alike.
“As the Executive Architect, Architectus is delighted to have worked collaboratively with the Art Gallery of New South Wales, SANAA and Infrastructure NSW, to contribute significantly to the operational, functional and performance solutions. We are excited to now be novated to Richard Crookes Constructions for the construction phase and to realise the architectural vision in built form,” said Luke Johnson, Principal at Architectus.
“The unique light-weight and highly transparent architectural design will complement the sandstone facades of the much-loved Vernon Wing, providing 18 000 square metres of exhibition and support spaces for contemporary art forms, conservation activities and educational participation.
“This innovative art museum project has already attracted global interest and will ultimately contribute significantly towards shaping the future of art experiences in our city and region. It will create a series of six-star Green Star gallery spaces for adaptable exhibition environments across a range of scales and media,” said Johnson.
The gallery is scheduled for completion during 2022.
Figure 2: The Architectus team with Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa at the official ground-breaking ceremony held on the 7th of November 2019.
Figure 3: Art Gallery of NSW Director, Michael Brand.
