Southern Grampians Shire Council has signed a partnership agreement with Melbourne University School of Design to provide expertise on the New Hamilton Gallery project.
Council says the partnership will see some of Australia’s best architects come together to advise on the project to ensure the creation of an iconic, nationally significant building.
It is the next step towards Council developing a design brief for tender.
The design school is currently working on international projects such as Woven City Tokyo and the new Melbourne Arts Precinct, MAP-co.
The key advisors will include Dr Rory Hyde, Associate Professor in Architecture, Curatorial Design and Practice, and former Curator of Contemporary Architecture and Urbanism at the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) in London, and former Advisor to the Mayor of London.
Dr Hyde believes the New Hamilton Gallery has the potential to be a regional leader with National significance.
“We see this project as an opportunity for Hamilton to be a national leader in regional art galleries where Council will have the chance to create something which is truly exciting, inclusive and ambitious,” he said.
Also bringing significant expertise to the project team is Professor Alan Pert, acclaimed architect and Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning, alongside Professor Dan Hill, Director of the Melbourne School of Design, and Melinda Heron, the University’s Senior Business Development Manager.
This team of experts have worked with significant projects and global organisations, from the BBC to the Swedish government’s innovation agency, Vinnova and the University’s new Fisherman’s Bend campus opening in 2025.
Southern Grampians Shire Council Mayor, David Robertson said the new gallery and larger scale CBD project will rejuvenate cultural opportunities and enhance the civic life of the town by creating something unique for locals and visitors.
“It’s really special to have such high calibre experts advising on this project,” said Mayor Robertson.
“This partnership will guide us in developing a new gallery that will allow us to host nationally and internationally significant exhibitions, provide viewing and interactive opportunities for the entire Southern Grampians Community, as well as providing appropriate storage for our collection of over 9000 objects.”
He said the creation of the design brief is one of the most important stages in a project’s inception.
“This piece of work is crucial in ensuring the new building matches the quality and importance of our incredible collection.”
The design brief sets the agenda for years ahead, through design, construction and operation,” the Mayor said.
Council voted to build a New Hamilton Gallery on its current location as part of a broader CBD Revitalisation project at the November 2022 Council meeting.
