Earthworks underway on Northern Territory Art Gallery

Earthworks have commenced for the Northern Territory Art Gallery - a key component of the Civic and State Square precinct which aims to deliver art, architecture and landscape spaces to create a distinct sense of place.

Local company Sitzler is building the gallery as part of an $88 million contract to deliver the gallery, and to plan and design the remaining elements of the precinct.

Featuring four large galleries with high ceilings, a spacious foyer, and a dedicated program space for community activities, the Gallery will also offer visitors a shop and café to browse and relax while enjoying the landscaped gardens surrounding the gallery.

Sustainability initiatives already incorporated into the design of the Northern Territory Art Gallery include:

• compliance with National Construction Code 2019 Section J building fabric requirements

• inclusion of a 199kVA photovoltaic (PV) system

• demonstrated trajectory to net zero emissions by 2050; the building can be described as ‘net zero ready’

• the inclusion of lower carbon concrete products throughout the building structure, reducing the embodied carbon of the project, (the carbon emissions associated with the construction process).

As part of the construction of the Northern Territory Art Gallery, six new raintrees (albizia saman) will be planted along the State Square side of the building and eight white cloud trees (marenthes corybosa) will be planted along Smith Street.

The Civic and State Square revitalisation forms part of the Territory Government’s historic Darwin City Deal, delivered in partnership with the Australian Government and the City of Darwin, with $145 million allocated to transform the precinct into a welcoming and interactive green heart of the CBD.

Construction of the Gallery is expected to be completed by late 2024, and will include the fit out and installations of exhibitions before the gallery opens.