Rockhampton Museum of Art

Design strategy

The arrangement of movement – for public, art, makers and attendants – has been fundamental to the design solution. This strategy supports “publicness”, activity and the seamless delivery and exhibition of art. The design addresses the importance of galleries providing a protective container for art while creating an inspiring place for people to gather, enjoy and connect to the art and its context.

RMoA’s open and transparent foyer invites people to enter and engage. Rather than a corridor, the circulation between galleries is in itself an exhibition space that extends from the entry foyer to Quay Lane. This tall circulation space opens up distant views, horizontally and vertically and provides clarity to the way the building may be navigated.

The Gallery has a role as an important contributor to its significant setting facing Tanuba and Nurim, and in recognising the living histories in this heritage place. The physical and visual connections between the river and landscape and the city are central to the siting and materiality of the Gallery. This outward looking approach inspired the use of glass and the horizontal flow through open spaces, bridges, balconies and the Level Two veranda.

Sustainability

Our strategic approach to sustainability is underpinned by careful consideration of adjacencies, so that critically controlled spaces are protected, and relief spaces are unhindered. This approach forms the foundation of our design hierarchy for energy efficiency. The addition of rooftop solar panels and introduction of balanced natural light to the more flexible spaces assists in reducing the Gallery’s environmental footprint.