Recently, the new and improved Art Gallery NSW opened its doors to the public. 

Identified as the most significant cultural development in Sydney since the completion of the Opera House almost half a century ago, the new art museum campus now comprises two buildings and a public art garden overlooking Sydney Harbour and almost doubles the exhibition space of the original gallery.

Designed with three interlocking limestone clad pavilions that step down towards the Harbour following the topography of the land, the new building will feature 250 metres of rammed earth made from material across NSW and creates a dramatic curve through the building.

The gallery offers space for art research and education, as well as multipurpose spaces, food and beverage facilities and visitor amenities.

In addition, 3,400sqm of accessible roof space, courtyards, a public art garden, a civic plaza and improved universal walkways are also included.

Using 100% renewable energy, with solar panels on the entrance pavilion roof generating 10% of the gallery’s energy needs, the gallery is the first pubic museum to achieve a six-start Green Star rating.

Estimated to cost $344m, the NSW government invested $244m into the project, while the gallery privately raised the remaining $100m.