Aileen Sage

Artbank Sydney

A coruscating renewal of the Sydney Artbank Headquarters, home to Australia’s second-largest collection of contemporary art.

Location

Gadi Country Waterloo, NSW

Client

Artbank, Federal Ministry for the Arts

Completion

2013-2014

Artful

Cultural

Commercial

A new gallery, art store, multifunction space and administration areas for Artbank are inserted into an existing warehouse building in Waterloo, adjacent to the Danks Street Gallery Precinct. The heritage façade and entry tower of the building provide a distinct public face to the Federal Government initiative that aims to support and promote the value of Australian contemporary art.

The interior layout provides a strong visual connection between the gallery, administration and art storage space, with designated areas for an ongoing program of specific art commissions.

A vibrant and spontaneous establishment expressive of its occupants is achieved through unusual materiality and striking colour combinations.

Ross Manning, Spectra VII, 2014. Installation view, commissioned for the building entry tower.

James Lieutenant & Kate Vassallo, Counter Compositions, 2016. Installation view, temporary commission by Artbank.

"I began working with Amelia and Isabelle through their collaborative architecture atelier Aileen Sage as the architects on the redevelopment of our new facility. Their ideas, concepts and approach to architecture are both refreshing and contemporary. All stages of the process, to date, have been rigorous, creative and engaged with our brief—working to create a new facility that both reflects and supports the ideas of Artbank."

Tony Stephens, Director, Artbank