New South Wales
A 20 square metre former hair salon has been converted to an intimate gallery space on an exceptionally modest budget. With no budget to relocate existing plumbing on the rear wall and a bathroom door taking up valuable wall space, as well as a visible wedge of concrete from the stair to the apartment above, a simple strategy of concealment was adopted in the form of a full width pivoting wall across the rear of the space. Located 250mm off the rear wall, not only does it conceal the plumbing, concrete stair and bathroom door but it provides a shallow storage space for artworks or packaging as well as allowing additional hanging space for artwork on the rear of the wall. A single window to the street provided an opportunity to integrate a fold down desk that doubles as a window shutter.
Ian Moore Architect’s visionary design transformed a small and undesirable room into a sophisticated art viewing experience. The hidden pivot wall has not only become iconic, offering immense intrigue, but also creates opportunity for two extra full width x height sized viewing walls with unique exhibiting and sightline possibilities. The fold-down desk that moonlights as a blind expands the clever illusion of space.
The architecturally bespoke 20sqm gallery enables optimal conditions for mini exhibitions, highly beneficial for enticing international artists to exhibit for the first time in Sydney and memorable for significant art collectors and curators to visit.
The Australian Institute of Architects acknowledges First Nations peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the lands, waters, and skies of the continent now called Australia.
We express our gratitude to their Elders and Knowledge Holders whose wisdom, actions and knowledge have kept culture alive.
We recognise First Nations peoples as the first architects and builders. We appreciate their continuing work on Country from pre-invasion times to contemporary First Nations architects, and respect their rights to continue to care for Country.
