Foundations set for Sydney Modern Project

A construction milestone has been reached for the Art Gallery of New South Wales’ expansion - the Sydney Modern Project - following the pouring of concrete foundations.

The $344 million expansion designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architects SANAA will almost double current gallery space to show more of the State’s outstanding art collection, including more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artworks, and attract the some of the best national and international exhibitions to NSW.

Art Gallery of New South Wales Director, Dr Michael Brand noted “In this moment we need art and artists more than ever, and it’s exciting to be planning how visitors will engage with great art in the future in this special place. This will be an art museum experience unique in the world for everyone to enjoy.”

President of the Gallery’s Trust, David Gonski thanked all of the Gallery supporters “who made this project possible and partnered with the NSW Government to set a new benchmark for philanthropy in the arts in Australia.”

NSW Minister for the Arts, Don Harwin said he was pleased to see the project taking shape so swiftly during these unprecedented times and added “The Sydney Modern Project is an important investment in art, artists and culture and sends a strong signal of confidence and hope for the future.

“I’m delighted that construction on the Sydney Modern expansion continues on time and on budget, and it’s great to see how much progress has been made since work started in November last year.”

The Art Gallery of New South Wales is the first public art museum in Australia to achieve the highest environmental standard for design with a 6-star Green Star design rating for its new SANAA-designed building.

Construction of the expansion hasn’t stopped during the COVID-19 pandemic, boosting job security and ensuring the project will be delivered on time and on budget.

The Government’s push to keep construction projects going where-ever possible is part of its COVID-19 Recovery Plan. This project alone will deliver 540 construction jobs, in addition to almost 250 full time jobs over the next 25 years.

The project now moves into the ‘build’ phase with the first of two 100 metre-plus tower cranes installed on site, the pouring of concrete foundations and the erection of structural steel. Construction is scheduled for completion in 2022 and the Gallery remains open during this time.