2021 National Award for Public Architecture

Jury citation

Quiet as it may seem, befitting its relatively minor scope, this work displays a deep understanding of the original plan of this important heritage building and its potential long-term future. Hitherto suffocated by poor decisions and even poorer government interventions, the building as cast in 1846 by Mortimer Lewis, a clearly profound architectural mind, was deeply stifled in its natural development.

It may be argued that these interventions, which were guided by the museum’s masterplan, were not ambitious enough to open the obvious central courtyard and enable the building’s passage into the realm of an abiding work with international reach. However, the team of Cox Architecture and Neeson, Murcutt and Neille has mindfully and selflessly paved the way for this work to be furthered. The enduring nature of this first but most important intervention constitutes a deep and resounding offering to future generations – that is, if governments are wise to the possibilities.

Project credits

Architect: Cox Architecture with Neeson Murcutt and Neille; Project team: Rachel Neeson, Joe Agius, Mark Davey, Stephen Neille, Joseph Grech, Nick Gonsalves, Leanne Mitchell, Chris Tran, Hannah Slater, Ben Dixon; Builder: Kane Constructions; Structural engineer: D’Ambrosio Consulting Engineers; Heritage consultant: Orwell and Peter Phillips; Lighting and ESD consultant: Arup; Services consultant: ADP Consulting; Landscape consultant: Sue Barnsley Design; Certifier: Steve Watson and Partners; Access consultant: Access Associates Sydney; Town planner: Ethos Urban; Quantity surveyor: Altus Group; Project management: Compass Project Management; Acoustic consultant” EMM Consulting; Other consultants: Art of Fact

Australian Museum Project Discover is located in Darlinghurst, New South Wales on the land of the Gadigal people of the Eora nation.