National Award for Heritage Architecture – 2021 National Architecture Awards
Traditional Land Owners: The Gadigal People of the Eora Nation
Project Discover, a close collaboration between Cox Architecture and Neeson Murcutt and Neille, follows Crystal Hall by Neeson Murcutt Architects that re-orientated the museum to William Street, its original frontage.
The design is highly strategic. It prioritises changes that will sustain the Museum into the long-term.
The project aspires to create a singular civic space giving a ‘heart’ to the Museum; reveal and celebrate the Museum’s rich historic layering; create legibility of movement – vertical and horizontal; enable universal public access throughout; and enhance the Museum’s engagement with William Street.
The new civic space is uncovered through the removal of The Still Addition mezzanine, while the new touring gallery is placed below this space through the relocation of 3 levels of storage. Crystal Hall is connected via a new generous threshold to the Museum. A new stair engages outwardly with the city – adding new ‘delight’ in movement through the Museum.
Client perspective:
How does the design benefit the way you live/work/play/operate/educate/other?
“The design has opened-up the Australian Museum and helped achieve our goals of improving the visitor experience and attracting more visitors. The result is a new civic space for Sydney where visitors enjoy the architecture alongside the exhibitions.
Combining a sympathetic understanding of the cultural heritage of original buildings and additions, the 2020 design overlay reveals a new way to experience the nation’s first museum. Sight lines across vast spaces are revealed making wayfinding easier while heritage sandstone, previously hidden, is unveiled alongside modern inclusions.
The record attendance figures achieved in the first two months of reopening speak for themselves.”
Rachel Neeson, NMN
Joe Agius, Cox
Mark Davey, Cox
Stephen Neille, NMN
Joseph Grech, NMN
Nick Gonsalves, NMN
Leanne Mitchell, Cox
Chris Tran, Cox
Hannah Slater, NMN
Ben Dixon, NMN
D’Ambrosio Consulting Structural Engineers, Structural Engineer
Orwell + Peter Phillips, Heritage Consultant
Art of Fact, Exhibition Design Advisor
Arup, Fire Engineer
Arup, Lighting Consultant
Arup, ESD Consultant
ADP Consulting, Services Consultant
Sue Barnsley Design, Landscape Consultant
Steve Watson & Partners, Certifier
Access Associates Sydney, Access Consultant
Ethos Urban, Town Planner
Altus Group, Quantity Surveyor
Compass Project Management, Programming
EMM Consulting, Acoustic Consultant
Instagram – COX Architecture
Instagram – Neeson Murcott + Neille
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.
