Wurundjeri
Victoria
Confounding opposites the Eva and Marc Besen Centre is both subtle and bold, ‘invisible yet transformative’. While having its own distinctive character it takes cues from the site’s rich architectural legacy of Powell, Gunn and KTA. Together with the Sculpture Walk it enhances the open space so that as a collection of buildings there is continuity and connection across the estate.
Driven by Eva and Marc Besen’s commitment to fostering artistic exploration, cultural enrichment and intellectual engagement the design supports a range of activities: education, performance, events. The main space is adaptable to accommodate gatherings of up to 200 attendees. Adjacent to this a secure glass wall reveals the Centre’s treasures – the Besen collection- to all visitors. Back of house is now front of house for everyone to enjoy.
The enjoyment of art in and through the landscape remains central to the visitor experience of this significant regional museum.
This exemplary project redefines the role of a regional cultural facility, elegantly uniting public engagement, education, and art conservation within a singular architectural expression. It performs a dual civic role—as a cultural repository and an educational hub—housing a curated selection of over 300 artworks from the TarraWarra Museum of Art’s permanent collection. An internal glass wall turns typically private “back of house” areas into public-facing educational tools, offering insight into the processes of curation and preservation.
Architecturally, the building forms a sensitive counterpoint to the original TarraWarra Museum by Allan Powell. Recessed into a hill, this new addition gently arcs, forming a softly curving boulevard that invites public gathering. The gaussian veiled façade dissolves the building’s edge, allowing it to sit lightly within its environment while concealing a consolidated series of flexible interior spaces. A new sculpture walk connects the centre to the existing museum, framing views of the Yarra Valley.
The interiors support an expansive program of workshops, lectures, exhibitions, and performances for up to 200 attendees. The design’s spatial versatility and civic generosity foster cultural vitality and intellectual engagement. Both bold and refined, this project offers a compelling model for public architecture—one that celebrates access, learning, and the enduring power of art in community life.
The new Eva and Marc Besen Centre at TarraWarra Museum of Art stores our exceptional collection of Australian art, made possible by the generous donations of over 600 artworks from Marc Besen AC and Eva Besen AO. With art storage on display, visitors will have year-round access to pieces by some of Australia’s most significant modern and contemporary artists. The Centre will enhance our engagement with the community and expand our programs through a multi-purpose space for concerts, live events, learning and engagement. The Centre is designed to inspire, explore, and foster experiences that complement the Museum.
Kerstin Thompson, Design Director
Claire Humphreys, Associate Principal
Martin Allen, Associate
Sophie Nicholaou, Associate
Grant Dixon, Senior Architect
Viet Truong, Senior Architect
Hilary Sleigh, Architect
Michael Whittingham, Architect
Audrey Shaw, Graduate of Architecture
Leonard Meister, Architectural Student
Tamsin O’Reilly, Visualisation
Urban + Reshape Development, Project Manager
Webber, Structural / Civil Engineer
GeoAust, Geotechnical Engineer
Wayne Mitchell Surveying, Land Surveyor
Oculus, Landscape Consultant
Craig Murphy-Wandin, Wurundjeri Horticulturalist and Artist
WSP, Services – Mechanical, Electrical, Hydraulic, AV, Lighting and Fire
WSP, Fire Engineer
WT Partnership, Quantity Surveyor
Acoustic Logic, Acoustic Consultant
Audio Systems Logic, Specialist AV
2B Designed, Specialist Lighting
Finding Infinity, ESD Consultant
Contour, Town Planner
Greenwood Consulting, Arborist
Architecture & Access, DDA Consultant
United Building Consultants, Consulting Building Surveyor
Saville and Co, Relevant Building Surveyor
Terramatrix, Bushfire Hazard Assessment
F&B Solutions, F&B ‐ Kitchens
Kerstin Thompson Architects, Interiors
Fiona Lynch Interior Design, Loose Furniture
Paoli Smith, Signage + Wayfinding
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.
