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NGA Australian Garden

National Gallery of Australia / Parkes, Canberra, Australia

The National Gallery of Australia and its surrounding sculpture gardens were completed in 1983 and are located in the arts and civic campus of Australia’s National Capital, Canberra. To house the expanding collection the National Gallery of Australia embarked on a refurbishment plan including a new building entry, expansion of the indigenous galleries, new function room and creation of new southern gardens.

In 2005 McGregor Coxall were commissioned to prepare detailed plans for the public spaces. The new gardens include a skyspace sculpture by American artist James Turrell. The gallery expansion and public domain works link to the adjacent Australian High Court and the National Portrait Gallery completing a new ensemble of arts and civic facilities in Australia’s Parliamentary Triangle.

Site Area

 3.6 ha

Services
  • Art Installation
  • Furniture and Signage
  • Green Roof
  • Public Art
  • Public Domain Strategy
  • Public Institution
  • Tourism
  • Waterfeature
  • Water Sensitive Urban Design [WSUD]
Black and white portrait of Adrian McGregor, a middle-aged man with short, curly hair wearing a dark blazer over a V-neck shirt. He is facing the camera and smiling slightly against a plain background.
Talk to Adrian McGregor about NGA Australian Garden
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A paved pathway extends into a lush garden filled with various green shrubs and trees. A small sign on the left reads "Main Garden Path." The path is partially shaded by tall trees and bordered by railings and low vegetation. In the background, a dirt path leads further into the Australian Garden at NGA.
A narrow concrete walkway leads through lush greenery, surrounded by various trees and shrubs in the Australian Garden. The pathway, bordered by metal railings on one side and a low wall on the other, extends towards a more open area in the distance under a clear blue sky.
A serene landscape featuring a reflective pond bordered by tall grasses and trees in the Australian Garden. A modern, white, geometric wall with vertical lines stands at the edge of the pond, creating a striking contrast with the natural greenery and blue sky in the background.
A detailed, top-down architectural plan of a large building complex with various sections and courtyards. The surrounding area includes Australian gardens, pathways, trees, and a pond with a central fountain on the left side. The bottom right corner shows a water body near the NGA section.
A view of the Skyspace installation at the National Gallery of Australia, featuring a green, grassy mound surrounded by water in the Australian Garden. The sky is partly cloudy and the scene is reflected in the still water, creating a serene and symmetrical composition at NGA.
A person walks through a futuristic, dimly lit triangular hallway with a dome-shaped structure in the center, illuminated by blue light. The geometric space features sharp angles, creating a surreal, otherworldly atmosphere reminiscent of an exhibit at the NGA's Australian Garden.
A lush, green grassy mound surrounded by a tranquil pond on a sunny day. A red bridge extends from the mound over the water in this picturesque Australian Garden. Trees and vegetation border the scene, adding a natural ambiance under a clear blue sky at NGA.
Three people walk towards a modern earth-sheltered building with a grass-covered roof in the Australian Garden, surrounded by water and greenery. One person is taking a photo while others approach the building's entrance. Trees and a blue sky can be seen in the background.
A child wearing a floral hat sits in a small yellow inflatable pool on a grassy area within the Australian Garden near a water feature. A woman in a floral dress sits on a chair on a concrete platform overlooking the scene, with trees and greenery in the background, reminiscent of an NGA exhibit.
Two children play joyfully near a sidewalk in the spacious Australian Garden. One child, wearing a red shirt, looks ready to catch or throw a ball, while the other child, in a blue shirt, runs barefoot on the grass. The lush park features manicured lawns, trees, and a large bushy mound near the NGA.
An Australian tattooed individual, seen from behind, lounges amidst the tall grasses and plants in a garden area. The intricate full-back tattoos prominently feature colorful floral designs. Urban architectural structures are visible in the background.
A person wearing a hat and blue shirt stands beside a young child in a red jacket, both leaning over a railing to look at a pond in the Australian Garden. The pond is surrounded by tall grasses and trees, which are reflected in the clear water. It is a serene, nature-filled scene.
A contemporary park featuring a unique design of interlocking grass and concrete paths, reminiscent of the Australian Garden at NGA. In the background, two people are talking on a white bench. The park is surrounded by trees and greenery with an open metal gate visible in the distance.
Outdoor café with red chairs and tables, shaded by large umbrellas. A person in a gray hoodie sits alone at a table. The area is adjacent to a fountain with several water jets and surrounded by trees from the Australian Garden at the NGA. Some buildings are visible in the background.
A well-lit pathway through an Australian park at twilight, with tall trees accentuated by the soft glow of surrounding lights. The sky is deep blue, indicating the transition from day to night. The path leads into the distance, flanked by lush garden vegetation.
A paved pathway flanked by greenery leads into the Australian Garden at the NGA, with tall trees under a clear blue sky. Artwork resembling large teardrops stands on the grass to the right. A few buildings can be seen in the background amid the foliage.
A modern building with large illuminated panels is situated near a serene reflecting pool at dusk. The structure, reminiscent of the elegant design of the NGA, is surrounded by trees and a well-lit Australian garden, adding to the tranquil ambiance. The clear sky and calm water create a peaceful scene.

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