The commission was awarded to Angelo Candalepas and Associates for their monumental scale proposal with interiors somewhat reminiscent of the Guggenheim Museum in New York. It will be Australia’s largest contemporary art gallery and a major destination within the Melbourne Arts precinct.

The project proposes a vast new park area and public space forecourt which will be the much-needed connective tissue between the various buildings within the Melbourne arts precinct.

The proposal was developed by a highly talented multi-disciplinary team comprising of Angelo Candalepas and Associates, ASPECT Studios, BoardGrove Architects, Richard Stampton Architects, Carr, Andy Fergus Design Strategy, Steensen Varming + Mott MacDonald, Taylor Thomson Whitting (TTW), Freeman Ryan Design and AX Interactive.

Many are questioning its austere appearance as a gallery that will contain a striking collection of contemporary art – why not express its purpose through architecture? Others are commending the proposals response to context and it’s neighbouring NGV International by Roy Grounds.

Do you think it’s making a statement for the right reasons?