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NEWS
Australia's first museum unveils AU$285m redevelopment masterplan
POSTED 15 Dec 2016 . BY Tom Anstey
The expansion would allow the museum to display 20 per cent of its collection of 18 million items – up from the current 1 per cent
Sydney’s Australian Museum has unveiled a AU$285m(US$214m, €201m, £168.6m) masterplan proposing a new multi-storey extension to stretch over the top of its existing building in the largest redevelopment in the institution’s 189-year history.

The Barrabuwari Muru (future path) masterplan by Hames Sharley places a new extension in the museum’s eastern quarter, an area currently taking up a car park and storage facility.

The 2,700sq m (29,000sq ft) extension and wider redevelopment will more than triple museum floorspace, up from 6,500sq m to 20,000sq m, allowing the museum to exhibit as much of 20 per cent of its 18 million-strong collection of artefacts – an increase from the current 1 per cent.

The new masterplan envisages a great hall at the site’s centre. Created by removing existing buildings between heritage-listed parts of the museum, the 70 metre-long hall could accommodate up to 2,000 people at one time.

A large new space for temporary exhibitions would also be created, “allowing Sydney to compete on the global stage” in terms of international blockbusters.



In preparation for the masterplan, the museum has commenced an extensive transformation programme to upgrade existing facilities including its Crystal Hall opened last year; a new First Australians Gallery featuring two new permanent exhibitions; the Pacific Spirit Gallery; a new rooftop restaurant; and the restoration of the Long Gallery – Australia’s first museum gallery – reopening as the Westpac Long Gallery in late 2017.

In addition to a reimagining of the existing space, the museum will create new education and community facilities, including new learning spaces, a theatre, an Indigenous and Pacific cultural centre and new DNA labs.

The masterplan has been submitted to the NSW Government for consideration as part of the State Cultural Infrastructure Strategy. An architect for the project is yet to be appointed. The museum – originally designed in 1857 by architect Mortimer Lewis – is planning to hold a international design competition for the new building held over two stages. Once approved, the museum is planning to start construction on the new building in 2018m with the extension to be open by 2022.
The Barrabuwari Muru (future path) masterplan by Hames Sharley places a new extension in the museum’s eastern quarter
The 2,700sq m (29,000sq ft) extension and wider redevelopment will more than triple museum floorspace
The new masterplan envisages a great hall at the site’s centre
The masterplan has been submitted to the NSW Government for consideration as part of the State Cultural Infrastructure Strategy
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  Past meets the future as architects unveil design for Perth's new WA Museum


Architects Hassell + OMA have unveiled their design for Perth’s AUS$428m (US$325m, €290.8m, £245.7m) Western Australian Museum building, with global contractor Brookfield Multiplex chosen to lead the landmark development.
  Rem Koolhaas wins AU$428m Western Australia Museum project


The development of the new Western Australian Museum building in Perth has reached a significant milestone, with a design team led by international architects OMA now in negotiations to oversee the project.
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NEWS
Australia's first museum unveils AU$285m redevelopment masterplan
POSTED 15 Dec 2016 . BY Tom Anstey
The expansion would allow the museum to display 20 per cent of its collection of 18 million items – up from the current 1 per cent
Sydney’s Australian Museum has unveiled a AU$285m(US$214m, €201m, £168.6m) masterplan proposing a new multi-storey extension to stretch over the top of its existing building in the largest redevelopment in the institution’s 189-year history.

The Barrabuwari Muru (future path) masterplan by Hames Sharley places a new extension in the museum’s eastern quarter, an area currently taking up a car park and storage facility.

The 2,700sq m (29,000sq ft) extension and wider redevelopment will more than triple museum floorspace, up from 6,500sq m to 20,000sq m, allowing the museum to exhibit as much of 20 per cent of its 18 million-strong collection of artefacts – an increase from the current 1 per cent.

The new masterplan envisages a great hall at the site’s centre. Created by removing existing buildings between heritage-listed parts of the museum, the 70 metre-long hall could accommodate up to 2,000 people at one time.

A large new space for temporary exhibitions would also be created, “allowing Sydney to compete on the global stage” in terms of international blockbusters.



In preparation for the masterplan, the museum has commenced an extensive transformation programme to upgrade existing facilities including its Crystal Hall opened last year; a new First Australians Gallery featuring two new permanent exhibitions; the Pacific Spirit Gallery; a new rooftop restaurant; and the restoration of the Long Gallery – Australia’s first museum gallery – reopening as the Westpac Long Gallery in late 2017.

In addition to a reimagining of the existing space, the museum will create new education and community facilities, including new learning spaces, a theatre, an Indigenous and Pacific cultural centre and new DNA labs.

The masterplan has been submitted to the NSW Government for consideration as part of the State Cultural Infrastructure Strategy. An architect for the project is yet to be appointed. The museum – originally designed in 1857 by architect Mortimer Lewis – is planning to hold a international design competition for the new building held over two stages. Once approved, the museum is planning to start construction on the new building in 2018m with the extension to be open by 2022.
The Barrabuwari Muru (future path) masterplan by Hames Sharley places a new extension in the museum’s eastern quarter
The 2,700sq m (29,000sq ft) extension and wider redevelopment will more than triple museum floorspace
The new masterplan envisages a great hall at the site’s centre
The masterplan has been submitted to the NSW Government for consideration as part of the State Cultural Infrastructure Strategy
RELATED STORIES
Past meets the future as architects unveil design for Perth's new WA Museum


Architects Hassell + OMA have unveiled their design for Perth’s AUS$428m (US$325m, €290.8m, £245.7m) Western Australian Museum building, with global contractor Brookfield Multiplex chosen to lead the landmark development.
Rem Koolhaas wins AU$428m Western Australia Museum project


The development of the new Western Australian Museum building in Perth has reached a significant milestone, with a design team led by international architects OMA now in negotiations to oversee the project.
MORE NEWS
Expo 2030 Riyadh will create a permanent global destination
Expo 2030 Riyadh is being planned as a permanent visitor destination, with organisers confirming the six-million-square-metre site will become a Global Village after the event closes.
Australian waterpark acquisition creates new leisure attractions group
The owner of one of Australia's best-known waterparks has acquired a major competitor, creating a new attractions business spanning two of the country's largest visitor destinations.
London Museum reveals 2026 opening date for new Smithfield home
The London Museum’s new site will open in Smithfield, East London, on 28 November 2026.
Toverland unveils €98m expansion plan as park prepares to launch resort development
The Toverland theme park in the Netherlands has announced a €98m expansion programme that will add a resort, new attractions and staff facilities as it pursues plans to become a multi- day destination.
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COMPANY PROFILES
RMA Ltd

RMA Ltd is a one-stop global company that can design, build and produce from a greenfield site upw [more...]
ProSlide Technology, Inc.

A former national ski team racer, ProSlide® CEO Rick Hunter’s goal has been to integrate the smoot [more...]
Simworx Ltd

The company was initially established in 1997. Terry Monkton and Andrew Roberts are the key stakeh [more...]
TechnoAlpin Indoor

TechnoAlpin is the world leader for snowmaking systems. With the Indoor snow division, TechnoAlpin c [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  
DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
29 Sep - 02 Oct 2026

Synergy - The Retreat Show

Pical Resort, Valamar Collection, Porec, Croatia
+ More diary  
 


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Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

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