Registration Now Open – 2022 NGV Architecture Commission Design Competition

Registrations are open for the 2022 NGV Architecture Commission Design Competition. Every year, multi-disciplinary teams are welcomed to submit proposals that challenge, explore and engage with architectural ideas – whether that be conceptual, experiential, formal or material appreciation.

This year marks the seventh NGV Architecture Commission Design Competition. The annual series was developed to offer architects and designers the unique opportunity to produce visually dynamic experiences accessible within a civic sphere. Each compelling installation is presented within the Grollo Equiset Garden at NGV International, as a way to channel, connect and promote stimulating architectural concepts within a cultural and public domain.

The national competition is open to work that celebrates architecture in its broadest sense.

The national competition is open to works that celebrate architecture in its broadest sense. Architects or design teams are invited to present designs that facilitate or instigate conversations, immersion or reflection. The temporary structure or installation should resonate with audiences, be relevant to contemporary design, as well as thought-provoking and led by contemporary issues. Designs can encompass anything from a landscape intervention or a performance space, to an architectural installation or a playful interaction. Multi-disciplinary teams and collaboration are encouraged, as long as the final design has the ability to actively engage with the local community onsite.

The competition is selected through two stages. The first is an anonymous stage one, where up to five quality design proposals will be selected to proceed to stage two, where they will be further developed and refined to then present to the competition judges. This year, the jury includes Amaia Sanchez-Velasco, Lecturer in the School of Architecture at University of Technology Sydney; Don Heron, Assistant Director Exhibitions Management and Design at NGV (Chair); Linda Cheng, Editor at Architecture AU; Founding Director at M3, Michael Banney; Head of Department of Architecture at Monash University, Mel Dodd; and Rachel Nolan, Founding Director at Kennedy Nolan.

This year marks the seventh NGV Architecture Commission Design Competition.

The 2021 NGV Architecture Commission pond[er], designed by Melbourne-based architecture firm Taylor Knights along with artist James Carey, is currently under construction and will open 6 December 2021. Designed to become part of the NGV gardens, the interactive space allows visitors to move through the pink water via accessible platforms and walkways, giving an immersive experience and the chance to cool off in the warmer summer months.

Previous winners of the Design Competition also include John Wardle Architects (2015); M@ STUDIO Architects (2016); Retallack Thompson and Other Architects (2017); MUIR + OPENWORK (2018) and Yhonnie Scarce and Edition Office (2019). The 2022 Architecture Commission is supported by Principal Partner Macquarie Group, Design Partner RMIT University and The Hugh D.T. Williamson Foundation. Registrations for 2022 are currently open online.