SYDNEY MODERN

RICHARD CROOKES CONSTRUCTIONS FOR NSW GOVERNMENT

The Art Gallery of New South Wales’ expansion – the Sydney Modern Project – will create a new art museum experience across two buildings connected by a public art garden. The new building, designed by SANAA, will almost double exhibition space with seamless connections between indoor and outdoor spaces, delivering rich and diverse experiences for all our visitors. The Gallery will remain open during construction, which is scheduled for completion in 2022.

Highlights of the expansion include a new prominent destination for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art; a large gallery for major exhibitions; a unique contemporary art space repurposed from a decommissioned WWII oil tank; and flexible spaces to expand learning programs for schools, communities and families.

As design consultants, Saber will be responsible for the audio visual, production lighting, theatre machinery and space planning of all of the main gallery spaces. This includes a large 1300sqm major exhibition gallery with 5.5-metre-high ceilings to host national and international shows, a large 1160sqm column-free contemporary gallery with 5.5-metre-high ceilings and a glazed wall looking out to Woolloomooloo Bay.

There will be a spectacular underground art space repurposed from a decommissioned WWII naval oil tank. The unique 2,200sqm gallery with 7-metre-high ceilings will be used for multimedia exhibitions and performances, providing access to this public asset for the first time.

There will be purpose-built learning and participation studios for younger audiences, school programs and a variety of public programs. Saber designs for the flexible multipurpose space will support a variety of public programs, including performance and lectures.

A variety of smaller galleries including a dedicated ‘black box’ studio for multimedia works will contribute to making Sydney Modern one of the world’s most important art gallery.