The National Gallery of Australia (NGA) has announced a design competition for the $60 million revitalisation of its National Sculpture Garden.

Located on the grounds that lie between the NGA and the shores of Lake Burley Griffin in the ACT, the National Sculpture Garden displays the gallery’s extensive collection of sculptures.

In an effort to revitalise the site, the NGA has today announced an open-call, two-stage competition to select a design team to lead a major redevelopment of the three-hectare garden, which will be realised through philanthropic support. 

The winning team will be tasked with creating an innovative design that incorporates a public place for experiencing art, education, cultural and social events, while respecting the garden’s original design intent and heritage values. 

Jury members include the University of Melbourne chair of architecture Professor Philip Goad, proud Barkandji artist, curator and writer Nici Cumpston OAM, renowned Chilean landscape architect Teresa Moller, and NGA director Dr Nick Mitzevich.

“Considered a striking example of Australian landscape design, the original design was never fully completed and has not seen significant investment over many years,” Mitzevich says.

“We are launching this major project to revitalise and bring the garden into the 21st Century.” 

The history of the National Sculpture Garden 

Established in 1981, the National Sculpture Garden was designed by landscape architects Harry Howard and Associates to respond to and extend the building’s triangular geometric spatial configuration designed by Colin Madigan AO and his team. 

Set in the unique environment of Kamberri/Canberra and on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin, the garden features native plants suited to the severe winter weather and hot dry summers of the region. It is home to sculptures and installations by leading Australian and international artists, from early additions by Bert Flugelman, Clement Meadmore and Auguste Rodin to contemporary works by Thancoupie (Dhaynagwidh/Thaynakwith people), Fujiko Nakaya and major site-specific works by Fiona Hall and James Turrell. 

Designing a new garden for the 21st Century

The competition encourages unique and imaginative conceptual designs which create a responsive and resilient landscape designed to mitigate climate change and enhance the mature trees and other plantings. 

Considerations of sustainability, accessibility and embedding First Nations principles are integral to the future design of the garden. 

Who can enter the Sculpture Garden Design competition?

The competition is open to all design teams and encourages multidisciplinary partnerships from Australia, international practices or a combination of both. Applicants are encouraged to include a landscape architect, an Australian First Nations practitioner, an artist, an architect and a botanist or horticulturalist. 

Important dates

Entries for stage one of the Sculpture Garden Design competition close 12pm AEST on Wednesday 29 May 2024. Entries will be anonymously assessed by the jury and a shortlist will be announced in June 2024 for progression to stage two.

Stage two will see shortlisted entrants invited to further develop their conceptual designs for consideration by the jury. 

The winning design is set to be revealed in October 2024. 

The full Stage One competition conditions, brief and entry requirements are available here. 

Lead image credit: Clement Meadmore, Virginia, 1970, National Gallery of Australia, Kamberri/Canberra, purchased 1973 © Meadmore Sculptures, LLC. VAGA/Copyright Agency.

IDEA has launched two new outdoor categories in 2024. Read more about the awards here.