Art Gallery NSW: Sydney Modern

The design set out to create a purposeful relationship between the buildings and landscape that facilitates a changing, vertical journey of movement for visitors as they traverse through the levels of the building and engage with the exhibition offering of each art pavilion. The new gallery building was designed to be a part of the garden, and the garden part of the gallery. The brief dictated a truly immersive day-night cultural experience for everyone to enjoy. The expansion's restorative and sustainable response connects people and place while strengthening the site's biodiversity.

Inspired by the remnant landscape of Gadigal Country, 50,000 Australian natives, including 150 new trees, were specified as part of the design of twisting, descending art pavilions set amongst existing trees, with 70% more trees on-site than before construction commenced. Close to 600m2 of green roofs are planted with Australian wildflowers, carefully selected in consultation with the Royal Botanic Garden to ensure maximum biodiversity benefits, reduce heat island effect, absorb stormwater, and help attract and sustain Sydney’s native bee population. Accessibility was key, with landscape design including several publicly accessible outdoor spaces allowing for the display and enjoyment of art.

Delivering excellence in sustainability, the AGNSW is the first art museum in Australia to receive a 6-star Green Star design rating - awarded for the Sydney Modern building. Gardens surrounding the pavilions provide an ecological framework of plantings, creating a biodiverse setting for art while ensuring significant figs and other trees were retained. Native wildflower roof gardens are a key part of the project’s endemic planting, now a seed bank for the rare yam daisies once widespread, a traditional food of the Gadigal People. The gardens, a nexus for Sydney’s Cultural Ribbon, offer enhanced public access from Woolloomooloo to Sydney’s CBD.

The completion of the Sydney Modern Project marks a significant cultural milestone, with a network of eight unique landscape spaces developed to reflect Gadigal’s landscape using native planting and existing topography. This focus has the potential to inspire positive change and drive demand for culturally sensitive and sustainable design. Landscape design complements the architecture of the new Sydney Modern building, which has attracted strong visitation as the state’s premier art museum, a major destination for the community and tourists alike. The landscape masterplan prepared by McGregor Coxall was approved in 2018 as part of the State Significant Development Application, with further refinement of feature elements designed by Kathryn Gustafson and GGN. Subsequently, the site was divided into three main works areas for delivery: 1.Sydney Modern gardens and roof gardens – Design, documentation and site supervision by McGregor Coxall 2.AGNSW Vernon Building curtilage – Design by Kathryn Gustafson and GGN with documentation and site supervision by McGregor Coxall 3.Art Gallery Road- Design by Kathryn Gustafson and GGN with documentation and site supervision by McGregor Coxall This award submission covers the Sydney Modern Project works area undertaken by McGregor Coxall.