Public Design
Project Discover by Cox Architecture, Neeson Murcutt & Neille
Design statement — Project Discover’s interior design aspires to create a singular civic space that gives a “heart” to the Australian Museum. The brief required a 1500-square-metre gallery for “blockbuster” touring exhibitions, enhanced patron facilities, and new spaces for members and education.
The design reveals and celebrates the museum’s rich historic layering by foregrounding authentic heritage through specific strategic removal; creates legibility of movement and wayfinding – both horizontal and vertical – throughout the museum’s existing complexity; enables universal public access throughout, including to the oldest parts of the museum; draws on the palette of existing materials – stone, timber, terrazzo – while introducing as few new materials as possible; explicitly relies on recycled and locally sourced materials; prioritizes selection of locally designed, locally made and environmentally sustainable furniture items; and uses light to curate the circulation experience, from the day-lit Crystal Hall to the dark Parkes Farmer wing reception, to the top-lit Grand Hall.
Jury comment — Project Discover displays a clever re-use of materiality and adaptive re-use of unused or under-utilized space. This alteration of the Australian Museum takes the lead in a category with a number of highly notable submissions by demonstrating a beautiful harmony between old and new. In creating richly expressed amenities, the design is seamless and refreshingly people-focused.
The jury found the project’s spatial legibility and orientation to be particularly appealing. Its reductive aesthetic, inspired use of negative space and sensitive detailing that exposes the interior’s heritage elements are to be commended. They also applauded the designers for achieving a creative transformation, by uncovering spaces that were previously inaccessible to the public and volumes that had not been enjoyed before. Each part of Project Discover greatly improves the visitor’s experience as they move through the space.