YuinMonaro Nations
New South Wales
The South East Centre for Contemporary Art (SECCA) in Bega, has undergone a significant transformation. This revitalization solidifies Bega as a vibrant cultural destination, aligning with SECCA’s vision to strengthen ties between the local community and the global arts scene. Co-located with the library, council offices and civic centre; SECCA emerges as the cultural heart of the town. Its expansion, encompassing over 500 sqm, includes diverse exhibition spaces, upgrade to amenities and services enabling it to host anything from prestigious touring shows to beloved community arts groups.
The main gallery has been transformed in volume with a new roof structure and high window voids. The former council chambers are adapted into additional exhibition and project spaces and connect seamlessly with the rest of the civic precinct. A new facade and window vitrines extend the gallery’s influence into the surrounding town, fostering a stronger connection with the community and surrounding landscape.
Award for Public Architecture
South East Centre for Contemporary Art (SECCA) by Sibling Architecture deftly transforms the Bega Valley Regional Gallery into a renewed cultural hub for Bega’s thriving cultural and arts community through a series of precise and playful insertions into the fabric of the existing building.
A softly undulating steel mesh wraps the existing structure and is punctuated by boldly coloured steel framed window openings. The ground plane of the forecourt folds up into these window openings to create seating opportunities, offering intimate moments for rest and gathering. The jury commends the design team in their controlled use of these elements to create a unique and highly recognisable public address, infused with character and joy, which invites broad community interaction and gives rise to a new and compelling place identity.
Blacket Prize
The South East Centre for Contemporary Art (SECCA) is awarded the 2024 Blacket Prize for achieving design excellence in a regional context.
The proposed SECCA building is an extensive refurbishment and expansion of the former Bega Valley Regional Art Gallery. With the aim to forge stronger connections between the community and art, the revitalised gallery is not just a cultural hub but a driver of cultural tourism.
The clever design incorporates a well resolved, carefully detailed and cost-effective addition to the original outdated and restrictive building. Encompassing an area of over 500sqm, the expansion strategically reprograms existing functions, bringing gallery spaces to the periphery to showcase exhibitions through large openings in the textured aluminium facade screen. The project has provided a vibrant and playful new facade which engages with the surrounding landscape and civic precinct.
The South East Centre for Contemporary Art is a worthy recipient of the Blacket Prize as it demonstrates an innovative and sensitive architectural revival to an existing building and strengthens ties with the local community, providing a new fit for purpose Art Gallery in the regional town of Bega.
Sibling Architecture’s redevelopment of Bega’s South East Centre for Contemporary Art (SECCA) is a game changer. The design enhances daily operations and creates new opportunities. With increased space and functional upgrades, SECCA can tap into collections from state and national institutions, hosting a variety of exhibits, from prestigious tours to local displays. New windows offer views of the town, fostering community engagement. Sibling adeptly fulfilled our goal of forging stronger connections between the community and art through their building design. Now, SECCA is not just a cultural hub but also a driver of cultural tourism, contributing significantly to the community.
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.
