Australia’s largest gallery dedicated to contemporary art and design is coming soon. That will be The Fox: NGV Contemporary.
The Fox: NGV Contemporary is more than just a building. It will be an icon. It will represent twenty-first-century design.
Australian architect Angelo Candalepas leads the project. His firm Candalepas and Associates spearheads the design. Twenty leading experts from Australia collaborate on this awe-inspiring landmark.
The Fox: NGV Contemporary embraces diversity. It welcomes visitors from all over the world. People will experience the best in art, design and architecture here. Arts and culture belong to everyone and The Fox: NGV Contemporary will become an important cultural center for everyone to enjoy, both locally and globally.
The Victorian Government supports this 1.7 billion dollar Melbourne Arts Precinct Transformation. The Fox: NGV Contemporary will showcase Australian architecture and design.
The national competition sought an intriguing landmark. It will enhance Melbourne’s cultural life. The Fox: NGV Contemporary will feature over 13,000 square meters of display space. This includes exhibition galleries. An expansive rooftop terrace and sculpture garden will offer stunning Melbourne vistas.
The arrival experience will center around a visually arresting omphalos. Omphalos is Greek for “the center of the earth”. This spherical gallery soars over 40 meters. It connects to a lantern in the sky. The colossal orientating hall displays large-scale artworks. Visitors move through the building via a spiraling pathway. This offers an unforgettable architectural experience between levels. Finally, visitors emerge on the dual-leveled rooftop terrace.
The design incorporates exciting architectural spaces. A large cafe will connect to the expanded public parkland. A new NGV design store will also feature. The rooftop boasts a public terrace and sculpture garden. It is accessible from a rooftop restaurant and members’ lounge. These rooftop vistas showcase Melbourne’s CBD, parklands, and the Yarra Ranges.
The Fox: NGV Contemporary’s design features large, flexible exhibition spaces. State-of-the-art systems will display significant contemporary works. The extensive exhibition space allows the NGV to present international blockbuster exhibitions. It will offer dynamic presentations from the NGV’s permanent collection too.
The Fox: NGV Contemporary also offers educational studios and a lecture theatre. Artist studios and scientific laboratories will conserve artwork. Pathways will connect the parklands to Southbank. The Fox: NGV Contemporary will unify the Melbourne Arts Precinct.
Large arched public entries welcome visitors. They arrive from the new parkland, Southbank Boulevard, and Kavanagh Street. The building’s eastern facade incorporates a multi-level veranda. It provides an external pathway between levels. Expansive views overlook the gardens and Melbourne’s skyline.
Angelo Candalepas and Associates lead a team of distinguished designers. ASPECT Studios Melbourne is led by Kirstin Bauer. The team includes interior design by Carr, led by Sue Carr AM. Emerging architects Richard Stampton Architects and BoardGrove Architects assist the team. Andy Fergus supports the team as an urban advisor. Brit Andresen and Richard Johnson offer mentorship.
Slated to open in 2028 The Fox: NGV Contemporary will attract one million visitors annually.