Melbourne’s soon-to-be biggest arts gem, will bear the architectural signature of a team led by Angelo Candalepas and Associates.
As unveiled on Tuesday by the Victorian state government, the preliminary design for the new National Gallery of Victoria Contemporary building comprises of more than 13,000 square metres of display space, including a central Greek-inspired gallery.
Hailed as a “visually arresting ‘omphalos’ (the Ancient Greek word for the centre of the earth)”, the monumental spherical hall penetrates all levels of the building, surpassing 40 metres and connecting to a dual-levelled roof top terrace.
The building will also feature arched entries, a sculpture garden and a number of spaces beyond exhibition purposes including science laboratories and educational studios.
“Melbourne is the cultural capital of this nation and NGV Contemporary marks its next great offering to the world,” said the principal of the firm leading the project, Angelo Candalepas.
“This building will be a beacon of the culture of our time.”
Candalepas has brought together a collective of 20 architecture, design and engineering firms from around Australia to deliver what will be the country’s largest contemporary art gallery.
Their winning design was selected by a jury of industry experts and multi-disciplinary professionals from a shortlist, following a two-stage-process competition.
This is not the first time the Greek Australian architect is chosen to lead projects of certain calibre.
Recent works include Sydney’s iconic Punchbowl mosque and a $27 million revamp underway of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese’s 4,000-square-metre site.
But expectations are particularly high for the NGV Contemporary’s design, which the state government hopes it will “position Victoria as the new global arts destination.”
“We are adding Australia’s largest contemporary art gallery to an already amazing precinct […]NGV Contemporary will be Australian designed and Australian made, creating thousands of local jobs and becoming an iconic reference for our great city on a global stage,” Creative Industries Minister Danny Pearson said.
The NGV Contemporary is the centrepiece of a $1.7 billion upgrade of Melbourne’s arts precinct in Southbank and is expected to open its doors in 2028.
