We acknowledge the Gadigal of the Eora Nation, the traditional custodians of the Country on which the Art Gallery of New South Wales stands.

Sydney Modern Project Update: August 2021

Construction update

Recent months have seen considerable progress on the built structure, with the full form of the new building starting to take shape. The following works have taken place on site:

  • Pouring the Lower Level 1 and first Entry Level concrete slabs, with structural steel erection now largely complete on Lower Level 1.

  • Erection of the first structural steel on the Entry Level has commenced.

  • Forming and pouring of reinforced concrete walls between Lower Level 2 and Lower Level 1 is continuing, and the Lower Level 1 Mezzanine walls are complete.

  • Erection of structural steel on Lower Level 2 is now complete, with installation of the first facade elements also underway.

  • Construction of the contoured rammed earth wall and installation of high-level services are progressing on Lower Level 2.

  • Construction of internal walls, installation of services and internal finishes are continuing on Lower Level 3 and Lower Level 4.

Covid-19

In line with the NSW Government’s COVID-19 Guidelines, construction on the Sydney Modern Project site resumed on 2 August 2021 following the two-week NSW Government order pausing work on construction sites.

A comprehensive COVID-19 Safety Plan is in place for the site with safety measures such as controls on movements between sites, reduced contact between workers within the site and improved tracing capability.

Safety is the number one priority for the Sydney Modern Project Team, and we are following all health advice in relation to construction sites.

Under the new Guidelines, work is permitted on Sundays and public holidays up until Christmas 2021 to enable time lost during the construction pause to be made up should it be required.

As of Saturday 31 July 2021, the permitted hours of construction are as follows:

  • Monday – Sunday: 7am – 6pm

  • Public holidays: 7am – 6pm

Upcoming works

Construction over the next three months will focus on the building’s remaining structural elements. The final concrete slabs and walls will be formed and poured, with services installation progressing on Lower Level 2 and Lower Level 1. Completion of the final structural slab – known as ‘topping out’ – will see a major project milestone reached, as it signifies that the structure has reached its peak.

Delivery and erection of structural steel, installation of internal walls, services and finishes will also continue. Completed structures will start to be enclosed with the installation of facade cladding and glazed facade elements. Installation of the glazed elements to the lifts, bridge and terrace canopies will also commence. Installation of lifts and escalators are also scheduled to occur during this time.

Deliveries via both Art Gallery Road and Lincoln Crescent site gates will continue to support the works underway on site.

Pedestrian access

Access around the Sydney Modern Project site has recently changed. The public footpath and associated stairs between the existing Gallery building and construction site have temporarily closed to allow works to progress within this area.

Further changes have come into effect as part of the landscape construction works at the front of the existing Gallery building.

Removal of all parking bays in front of the existing Gallery building has occurred as part of these works, with accessible parking continuing to be provided.

Two accessible parking bays will be temporarily located as indicated on the map. Pedestrian access to the Gallery will be maintained, with a temporary ramp constructed to allow for accessibility. The Art Gallery Road footpath adjacent to the site will be closed to pedestrians, however the Domain side footpath will remain open.

Wayfinding signage has been updated to reflect revised access pathways – please refer to the map below for pedestrian access available once landscape construction works commence.

SMP pedestrian access updated 2nd June 2021

Keeping you informed

We continue to keep our communities informed as work progresses, and regular updates are available on this project website, which also answers frequently asked questions.
For any enquiries, please contact the Sydney Modern Project team at smp@ag.nsw.gov.au

The NSW Government is undertaking an expansion of the Art Gallery of NSW, known as the Sydney Modern Project. The $344 million project will almost double current exhibition space and is the largest government and philanthropic venture of its kind to be achieved to date in the arts in Australia. The NSW Government has proudly contributed $244 million together with $100 million raised by the Art Gallery of NSW from private donors.

The project includes a new stand-alone building, located to the north of the existing Gallery, a public art garden, and the adaptive reuse of a decommissioned WWII oil tank. Construction is scheduled for completion in 2022.