An Alice Springs architecture firm will support an award-winning Australian company to design the National Aboriginal Art Gallery, blending the best of international and national experience with local expertise.
A design tender worth $7.175 million has been awarded today to BVN Architecture which will join forces with NT architects Susan Dugdale & Associates.
The news follows the announcement of a $250 million investment into Alice Springs, with $150 million to go towards delivering the National Aboriginal Art Gallery.
The design is expected to be finalised by late 2023, with stakeholder and community input central to the process.
BVN Architecture has extensive experience in urban design and master planning, as well as commercial, residential and public projects; while Susan Dugdale and Associates has delivered a range of innovative projects for Aboriginal organisations in Alice Springs and across Central Australia and the Barkly.
The gallery will celebrate the unique and powerful contribution Australian Aboriginal art has made to the world, as well as showcasing the cultural significance and beauty of Aboriginal art to a domestic and international audience.
In addition to the gallery, the much-anticipated Kwatye water play space will be incorporated into the area surrounding the gallery.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage and Central Australian Economic Reconstruction Chansey Paech:
"The National Aboriginal Art Gallery will be an iconic example of architectural excellence that will be the jewel in Mparntwe's crown.
"BVN Architecture and Susan Dugdale & Associates possess the flair and experience to deliver an innovative, exciting design that reflects the natural, spectacular beauty unique to our home here in the heart of Australia.
"The Gallery will celebrate Aboriginal art and showcase its creative aesthetic and cultural significance to domestic and international audiences. Much like experiencing Uluru, experiencing the Gallery will be a must for all visitors to Central Australia."
"I'm looking forward to the completion of design work as this will be a major step towards the realisation of this project."
