National Gallery of Australia ::

Project Description::

Tonkin Zulaikha Greer has undertaken a series of projects for the nation’s premier gallery. The first phase, following a national selection competition, saw the completion of the 25 year Master Plan for the development of the NGA/High Court “Campus” of the Parliamentary Triangle in Canberra. The team, comprising Urban Designers and architects from Tonkin Zulaikha Greer and Hargreaves Associates as Landscape Master Concept Designers, worked intensively with the National Capital Authority within the overall aims and structure set up by their 50 year plan for the Parliamentary Zone. The ongoing development of the Campus is planned to include sites for new arts and government buildings, integrated access, parking and servicing and significant road works. Of major importance to the study was the conservation and development of the nationally-significant landscaping of the precinct.

The second phase, abandoned due to moral rights issues, was the design for a major redevelopment of the Gallery. The focus of this work was a reconstruction of the disfunctional entry sequence of the building, with a new 6 storey southern foyer accessing all of this complex buildings’ spaces.

The final phase of work was a large scale refurbishment of the major galleries, including mechanical and fire services, waterproofing, window repair and new automated sunscreens. The removal of unsympathetic recent fit-out restored the architectural significance of this important modernist icon. This work was completed for the 25th anniversary of the opening of the building.