Leading architects invited to reimagine Art Gallery of NSW

The Art Gallery of NSW has invited 12 leading architectural firms to undertake a bold reimagining for the Gallery's ambitious plans to be an art museum for the 'Asian century'.

Gallery Director Dr Michael Brand has invited acclaimed international and Australian architects to design the Gallery’s planned $450 million plan to double in size.

Under the working title of 'Sydney Modern', the development would allow more blockbuster exhibitions and provide much-needed extra space at the gallery.

The invited architects include two firms – SANAA and Kengo Kuma – from Japan, Renzo Piano from Italy, Herzog and de Meuron from Switzerland, RMA from India, Kerry Hill from Singapore, Tod Williams and Billie Tsien from the USA, David Chipperfield from the UK and Spain’s Nieto Sobejano. The three Australian architects participating are Sydney’s

Candalepas Associates along with Sean Godsell and Fender Katsalidis from Melbourne.

Going through this process, the Sydney landmark is looking for an exceptional design that will attract global interest.

Commenting on the process, Dr Brand explained "the Sydney Modern vision for expansion and transformation is much more than just a building project.

"The gallery is seeking ideas that will create an architecturally ambitious, intelligent, sensitive, sustainable and highly functional design."

The next stage in the process will come in January next year when the architect entrusted with the future of the Gallery will be selected.

The existing Art Gallery of NSW building dates back to 1896 and attracts 1.3 million visitors per year. 

Meanwhile, Sydney newspaper The Daily Telegrpah has reported that the Gallery is “in crisis over redundancies and staffing issues” following the sacking of two highly-respected communications managers.

The Daily Telegraph reported that the Gallery last week “began recruiting the first of two new communications managers - with what appears to be almost exactly the same job description and remuneration.

Back in September, when The Daily Telegraph asked Dr Brand why his communications managers were sacked, he said that their roles had “changed dramatically enough that they need to be reapplied for”.

Claire Martin and Susanne Briggs were made redundant on 20th August after serving 21 years and 10 years respectively.

In the September interview with The Daily Telegraph, when he was asked to explain the redundancies, Dr Brand stated “restructuring is tough, but I have limited resources and we have much greater expectations on us.”

The redundancies followed the creation of a new ‘public engagement’ department at the Gallery.

Click here to read The Daily Telegraph news item.

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