Landscape architects McGregor Coxall to contribute to Sydney Modern Project

Award winning landscape architectural practice, McGregor Coxall, has been appointed to develop a landscape design concept for the Art Gallery of NSW’s proposed $450 million flagship institution, the Sydney Modern Project.

Announcing the appointment, Art Gallery of NSW Director Michael Brand stated "the appointment of a landscape design practice to work with SANAA is a crucial next step for the Sydney Modern Project."

The Sydney-based firm will work with Tokyo architectural firm SANAA (Kazuyo Sejima + Ryue Nishizawa) on their concept of a series of pavilion-like units that will cascade down the existing topography of the site, offering potential indoor-outdoor access at multiple levels.

Selected through invited competition, concepts by five landscape architectural firms were reviewed by an expert panel, which was comprised by Gallery representatives, SANAA and Sydney's Royal Botanic Gardens.

McGregor Coxall Director Adrian McGregor said that he aimed to amplify the special qualities Sydney’s landscape required for this project and assist to integrate the buildings into the site and public domain.

McGregor explained "SANAA’s concept is outward looking, engaging strongly with the surrounding landscape and communities (and) McGregor Coxall has a design aesthetic that aligns with SANAA’s concept.

"(Our) commitment to restraint and use of finely crafted details will also complement SANAA’s style.

"We understand and appreciate the power of the landscape setting around a gallery to link with the building and generate social activity."

McGregor Coxall has also managed the design of the National Gallery of Australia’s new entrance, provided concept designs for the Parramatta River waterfront while and is currently part of a design team creating the Royal Botanic Gardens’ Calyx project, as part of the Gardens’ 200th anniversary.

SANAA’s proposed design for Sydney Modern joins others by the firm, including the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art in Kanazawa, Japan; the New Museum of Contemporary Art in New York, USA and the Musee du Louvre-Lens in northern France.

Images: McGregor Coxall designs for the Australian Garden at the National Gallery of Australia (top and middle) and the Parramatta River waterfront (below).

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