News
Striking design revealed for new global arts destination

15 March 2022

Designs have been revealed for NGV Contemporary – Australia’s biggest contemporary art and design gallery.

CGI of white building surrounded by parkland
Daytime render of winning concept design for The Fox: NGV Contemporary by Angelo Candalepas and Associates, entry and public green space viewed from the NGV International. Render by Darcstudio. Artwork left: Camille Henrot (French born 1978), Contrology 2016. Suzanne Dawbarn Bequest, 2018 Artwork right: Henry Moore (English 1898- 1986), Draped seated woman 1958. Felton Bequest, 1960

The Australian-designed architectural statement at Southbank will include arched entries and an expansive rooftop terrace with views of Melbourne’s CBD, parklands and beyond to the Yarra Ranges.

Selected by an eminent jury, the winning design by Angelo Candalepas and Associates will boast 13,000 square metres of display space, crowned with a rooftop sculpture terrace and restaurant.

Candalepas and Associates will lead a collective of 20 Victorian and Australian-based firms with expertise across architecture, design and engineering. The winning design was selected from a shortlist in a two-stage process that began with an open call for submissions from Australian architects and multi-discipline design teams.

Delivering a globally recognisable landmark to Melbourne, NGV Contemporary will provide unparalleled exhibition spaces, educational spaces, studios and scientific laboratories for conservation of artwork.

Melbourne Arts Precinct will offer new public parklands which run from St Kilda Road, Southbank and through to Melbourne’s riverfront – connecting the city’s iconic cultural destinations and enveloping NGV Contemporary.

Larger than the MCG playing surface, the public parkland will incorporate retail and hospitality offerings along with space for events, performances and new public art.

More than 11,000 jobs will be created over the life of the project and the gallery will generate hundreds of ongoing creative sector jobs when it opens in 2028.

NGV Contemporary is part of the Victorian Government’s landmark $1.7 billion investment in the Melbourne Arts Precinct transformation and includes the extensive restoration of Arts Centre’s Melbourne’s State Theatre.

For more information go to ngv.vic.gov.au/ngv-contemporary.