The Benalla Rural City Council has appointed Williams Boag Architects to lead the Benalla Art Gallery redevelopment.
In March 2022, the council announced it was accepting tenders for the redevelopment, which would enhance the functionality and design of the gallery entry, staff and back-of-house spaces, and the onsite cafe.
Williams Boag Architects was awarded the tender on 26 Aril for its experience in gallery design, arts precincts, cultural spaces and their heritage expertise.
“Williams Boag’s architecture is sympathetic to a building’s heritage and original construction, highlighted by their Heritage Architecture award at the Victorian Architecture Awards in June 2021, for the Bendigo Former Mining Exchange project,” said Benalla Rural City Council.
The practice also oversaw the redevelopment of the McClelland Gallery in Langwarrin: a bespoke modernist building built in the 1970s design by Philip Sargeant and Colin Munro, the same architects behind the original Benalla gallery.
Benalla mayor Bernie Hearn said she was “delighted” with the decision, marking the first step in the redevelopment project.
“The Benalla Art Gallery is an iconic building in our town and the redevelopment by Williams Boag Architects will only enhance this space,” said Hearn. “The redevelopment will help to increase the engagement of the community with the Gallery collection, exhibitions and programs.”
Funding for the project has been allocated by the State Government of Victoria, and the design stage of the redevelopment is expected to be completed by November 2022.
Source: Architecture - architectureau
