plans for adelaide’s aboriginal art and cultures center (AACC), whose design was unveiled in february 2021, have now entered the south australian planning approval process, after being submitted to the state commission assessment panel. conceived by diller scofidio + renfro (DS+R) in collaboration with woods bagot, the new 11,500 sqm venus is formed to showcase the past, present, and future of aboriginal cultures, as well as to support various contemporary art practices and events across disciplines, ultimately serving as a new paradigm in cultural space design. 

diller scofidio + renfro and woods bagot move ahead with aboriginal art and cultures center
north terrace: with water feature and cantilevered the radically open ground level arrival galleries evokes a sense of welcome
all images courtesy of DS+R and woods bagot

 

 

DS+R and woods bagot mention that a large portion of the plot will be decorated with a combination of plants and vegetation, paving, walls, terracing, seating, along with a range of water features, welcoming people in. meanwhile, a series of interconnected pathways will wind around the building and flow into smaller, peaceful areas throughout the site, in order to enable visitors to take time out from the city environment and immerse themselves into the landscape.

 

since the reference design for the building was unveiled in february 2021, the concept has developed through deeper and wider engagement with aboriginal communities as part of the collaborative design process. ‘driven by truth-telling and transparency and staying true to the original design narrative, the design has been led by engagement with the aboriginal reference group,’ shares rosina di maria, principal designer of woods bagot. creating stronger connection to country, the feature gallery is now completely outdoors, and the building more decisively originates from the earth with columns that appear to grow from out of the ground.

diller scofidio + renfro and woods bagot move ahead with aboriginal art and cultures center
creating a stronger connection to country the cantilevered feature gallery is entirely outdoors and structural columns appear to grow from out of the ground

 

 

di maria also says the team is aware of the profound responsibility. ‘this project is a path to reconciliation, an important moment in setting the future for aboriginal and non-aboriginal people,’ she explains.‘we’re designing a vessel to hold—to nurture and care for—the stories of the world’s oldest and resilient, continuous culture on earth. the design must speak to the whole nation and especially aboriginal and torres strait islander peoples across australia,’ she adds.

diller scofidio + renfro and woods bagot move ahead with aboriginal art and cultures center
aerial view with AACC wholly connected to the landscape

diller scofidio + renfro and woods bagot move ahead with aboriginal art and cultures center
aerial view: nestled within the immersive gardens, the open-air amphitheater will host welcome to country and other events

 

 

project info:

 

name: aboriginal art and cultures center (AACC)
architects: diller scofidio + renfro (DS+R) and woods bagot
location: adelaide, australia
area: 123800 sqm 
expected completion: 2025