ADCO Constructions has won the contract for the Art Gallery of WA’s rooftop development, which will feature a 34-metre Aboriginal artwork and a skybridge.
ADCO Constructions has won a contract for the Art Gallery of WA’s rooftop development, which will feature a 34-metre Aboriginal artwork and a skybridge.
The project, called Elevate and designed by Perth-based firm TAG Architects and Sydney firm fjmt, will include a 500-person rooftop venue, an open-air rooftop sculpture park with works from the State Art Collection and an internal gallery located on the roof.
An external lift and skybridge from the Perth Cultural Centre will be built to allow people to access the rooftop after hours.
AGWA has commissioned artwork by Minang/Wardandi/Bibbulmun artist Christopher Pease, which will wrap around one third of the rooftop wall.
The total cost of the project is $10 million.
The construction of the project is estimated to support 265 jobs and is planned to be completed by January 2021.
The project was originally announced in 2017, and was supposed to be completed by 2020, in time for the gallery’s 125th anniversary.
It is part of the gallery's broader strategic plan, led by AGWA director Colin Walker, who was appointed in March.
Culture and Arts Minister David Templeman said the project would be a great addition to the gallery and the Perth Cultural Centre.
"Elevate will provide stunning views of the hills, the city skyline and the new museum, and the combination of rooftop events, artworks and people will add vibrancy to the Perth Cultural Centre precinct," Mr Templeman said.
AGWA made a number of other announcements today, including the planned appointment of an indigenous associate curator to focus on Noongar art as part of a new curatorial structure and opening a new ground floor gallery dedicated to contemporary Aboriginal art.
The gallery has also extended the tenure of board chair Janet Holmes à Court until December 2022, and appointed WA-born New York-based artist Ian Strange as guest artistic director.
Treasurer and Aboriginal Affairs Minister Ben Wyatt said he was delighted artwork by Christopher Pease would be a centrepiece for the development and that for the first time, a Noongar curator would be appointed to AGWA.
"Aboriginal art is not only strikingly beautiful, it is critical to truth telling and provides us insight into the history of our State and the connection of first nations people with these lands," Mr Wyatt said.
ADCO has recently been awarded a number of state government contracts, including the $61.4 million redevelopment of the Newman Health Services centre in June and an $8.8 million contract to redevelop the Geraldton Health Campus.
In January, the building firm won work to expand Osborne Park Hospital, worth $17.2 million.
