Alina Eacott, Concept designs released for new ‘cultural landmark’ on old Royal Adelaide Hospital site, ABC News, 12 May 2018
Concept designs for a new arts and cultural centre on the old Royal Adelaide Hospital site on North Terrace have gone on display at the Art Gallery of South Australia.
Six design teams were selected in December last year to design the Adelaide Contemporary Gallery, an initiative of the former Labor government.
At the time the Liberal Party committed to an Indigenous museum, but the Premier Steven Marshall said the Government would now combine the two.
“This truly unique and ground-breaking precinct is destined to become a beacon of artistic, cultural and architectural excellence internationally.”
Mr Marshall said it would be the “culmination of the long-held plans of the South Australian Museum and the Art Gallery of South Australia to better showcase their collections”.
Last year he said the South Australian Museum could only showcase 5 per cent of its collection, with a vast array of art and artefacts in storage.
3D models of the designs will be on display at the Art Gallery of South Australia from Saturday, and a winner will be selected by a competition jury which will meet this weekend.
Several of the designs include greenery and rooftop gardens to blend in with the nearby Botanic Gardens.
When advertised last year, the design competition attracted entries from more than 100 teams made up of 525 individual companies.
“The precinct is envisaged as an important economic driver for tourism and business investment, creating new jobs and inspiring spin-off business initiatives,” Mr Marshall said.
The shortlisted teams are: Adjaye Associates/BVN, BIG/JPE Design Studio, David Chipperfield Architects/SJB Architects, Diller Scofidio Renfro/Woods Bagot, Hassell/SO-IL, Khai Liew/Office of Ryue Nishizawa/Durbach Block Jaggers.
The competition jury includes representatives from the arts and architecture circles such as Lisa Slade and Tracey Whiting from the Art Gallery of South Australia.
