The Northern Territory government has unveiled new designs for the National Aboriginal Art Gallery in Mparntwe (Alice Springs), with updates made to the interior atrium and facade.
In March 2022, the territory government appointed BVN and Susan Dugdale and Associates to design the gallery with landscape architecture to be completed by Aspect Studios and Clarsen and Clarsen. The project has been co-designed with the local Arrernte community as well as with input from First Nations peoples from across Australia through the National Reference Group, which comprises 11 members, nine of whom identify as First Nations people and three as Traditional Owners of the local estate group of Mparntwe.
Gallery amenities and features remain relatively the same with a First Nations-led and governed gallery, a cultural welcoming circle, a four-storey atrium, a top-floor event and function space, a ground-floor cafe, an outdoor public area, healing gardens to protect and preserve sacred sites, and a Kwatye (water) play park still planned for the site.
The pinkish, earthy shade of the atrium and stairwell area has been updated to a more neutral, creamy colour palette with the skylights above the stairwell redesigned.
Image:
Northern Territory Government
The atrium and stairwell has been redesigned with two oval-shaped skylights above the stairwell replacing three geometric triangular apertures. A walkway originally depicted as being suspended above the stairs and wrapping around to the right of the atrium has also been removed and substituted with a more subtle walkway to the left of the stairs.
Render of the cultural welcome space.
Image:
Northern Territory Government
Plans state the vision for the gallery is to celebrate and display First Nations artwork, share stories and interpretations of the world’s oldest continuous culture, encourage local participation in arts programs and events, generate employment opportunities during the construction phase and upon completion of the gallery, as well as “create a high-quality cultural facility that stands as an iconic architectural statement, driving tourism, enhancing liveability, and promoting social and economic objectives.”
A tender for the construction of the project is now open until 14 December 2023. Construction is expected to commence in late 2027, with the gallery anticipated to open in early 2028.
Source: Architecture - architectureau
