In 2020 the NGA was granted $20M to upgrade the facility’s external and internal lighting. Steensen Varming used the experienced gained from past projects such as the Australian War Memorial, National Capital Authority (NCA) Outdoor Lighting Policy and other arts and cultural precinct projects to provide a sustainable masterplan for the NGA that not only provides a solution to reduce energy use and embodied energy with an upgrade to LED luminaires, reduction in cabling and equipment using a Bluetooth technology, but also addresses the important heritage and human environment aspects of the installation while ensuring the preservation and conservation of artwork.
The masterplan takes a holistic approach, provides a considered framework, a set of strategies and solutions for modernisation of the gallery’s systems bringing both the art and the building to life in a way that is true to its original architectural foundations, applying these with a sensitive and respectful language and using modern technology. Key to the vision of the project is enhancing the viewing experience of the art, whilst meeting stringent conservation requirements and being sensitive to the building heritage and architecture. Within the public realm, lighting plays a key role in the presentation of the building and identity in the evening, facilitates circulation and passive wayfinding and offers a different atmosphere and experience to the day. The masterplan provides key considerations and guidance to support future design stages outlining the importance of the relationship with the built form, minimising obtrusive light and the human experience. A complete 3D model was created of the internal and external areas.
As a leading national visual arts institution, since its opening four decades ago, the National Gallery of Australia (NGA) has played a leadership role in shaping visual arts culture across Australia and its region. The work completed as part of the masterplan will enable the NGA to continue to develop new ways to engage audiences and enhance lives.