The Art Gallery Of NSW Has Revealed the Final Design for Its Massive Expansion Project

The Art Gallery of New South Wales (AGNSW) has unveiled the final plans for its proposed $344 million expansion — dubbed The Sydney Modern Project — in a push to better compete with its interstate counterparts.

The state government already agreed to drop $244 million on the project back in June, with the gallery looking to private donations to raise the rest as it fights to win back drooping visitor numbers.

The country's most visited gallery in 2007, AGNSW has since dropped to fourth position, with Sydney Modern expected to boost annual numbers to two million by 2023.

The ambitious plans, designed by Pritzker prize-winning architecture and design practice, SANAA, would dramatically increase exhibition space, incorporating an entirely new building, an outdoor public art garden and an entry plaza complete with sculptures and installations. The new building is set to cover 7,830 square metres, with construction costs expected to top $236 million.

AGNSW is also looking to become Australia's first five-star Green Star rated public art museum, and wants to develop the country's most significant display of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art and culture.

As reported by The Australian, the government found that the proposed expansion "would have a moderate adverse heritage impact on the Royal Botanic Garden and Domain as a whole". The Development Application is on public exhibition over at the NSW Department of Planning and Environment website until December 15.

Via The Australian