Registration Now Open – 2022 NGV Architecture Commission Design Competition

Words by Olivia Hides
Photography by John Gollings, Peter Bennetts, Ben Hosking, Tom Ross, Taylor Knights, James Carey
Render of the NGV Architecture Commission 2021 pond[er] by Taylor Knights and James Carey. Render Courtesy Taylor Knights and James Carey.

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.

Installation view of 2015 Summer Architecture Commission: John Wardle Architects at NGV International from 24 September 2015 – 1 May 2016. Photo: John Gollings. Installation view of 2015 Summer Architecture Commission: John Wardle Architects at NGV International from 24 September 2015 – 1 May 2016. Photo: John Gollings.
Retallack Thompson and Other Architects Garden wall 2017, Commissioned by the National Gallery of Victoria Melbourne with the support of RMIT University, The Golden Age Group and The Hugh D. T. Williamson Foundation, Supported by The Golden Age Group, RMIT University and The Hugh D. T. Williamson Foundation. Photo: John Gollings.
Retallack Thompson and Other Architects Garden wall 2017, Commissioned by the National Gallery of Victoria Melbourne with the support of RMIT University, The Golden Age Group and The Hugh D. T. Williamson Foundation, Supported by The Golden Age Group, RMIT University and The Hugh D. T. Williamson Foundation. Photo: John Gollings.

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

Haven’t you always wanted...? by M@ STUDIO Architects for the 2016 NGV Architecture Commission. Photo: Peter Bennetts.

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.

Installation view of 2018 NGV Architecture Commission: Doubleground by MUIR + OPENWORK. Photo: Peter Bennetts.
Installation view of 2018 NGV Architecture Commission: Doubleground by MUIR + OPENWORK. Photo: Peter Bennetts.
Installation view of In Absence, 2019 designed by Yhonnie Scarce and Edition Office for the 2019 Architecture Commission at NGV International, Melbourne from 23 November 2019 – April 2020. Photo: Ben Hosking. Installation view of In Absence, 2019 designed by Yhonnie Scarce and Edition Office for the 2019 Architecture Commission at NGV International, Melbourne from 23 November 2019 – April 2020. Photo: Tom Ross.

This year marks the seventh NGV Architecture Commission Design Competition.

Render of the NGV Architecture Commission 2021 pond[er] by Taylor Knights and James Carey. Render Courtesy Taylor Knights and James Carey.
Render of the NGV Architecture Commission 2021 pond[er] by Taylor Knights and James Carey. Render Courtesy Taylor Knights and James Carey.

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.

Render of the NGV Architecture Commission 2021 pond[er] by Taylor Knights and James Carey. Render Courtesy Taylor Knights and James Carey.
Render of the NGV Architecture Commission 2021 pond[er] by Taylor Knights and James Carey. Render Courtesy Taylor Knights and James Carey.
Render of the NGV Architecture Commission 2021 pond[er] by Taylor Knights and James Carey. Render Courtesy Taylor Knights and James Carey.
Render of the NGV Architecture Commission 2021 pond[er] by Taylor Knights and James Carey. Render Courtesy Taylor Knights and James Carey.
Installation view of 2015 Summer Architecture Commission: John Wardle Architects at NGV International from 24 September 2015 – 1 May 2016. Photo: John Gollings.
Installation view of 2015 Summer Architecture Commission: John Wardle Architects at NGV International from 24 September 2015 – 1 May 2016. Photo: John Gollings.
Installation view of 2018 NGV Architecture Commission: Doubleground by MUIR + OPENWORK. Photo: Peter Bennetts.
Installation view of 2018 NGV Architecture Commission: Doubleground by MUIR + OPENWORK. Photo: Peter Bennetts.
Haven’t you always wanted...? by M@ STUDIO Architects for the 2016 NGV Architecture Commission. Photo: Peter Bennetts.
Haven’t you always wanted...? by M@ STUDIO Architects for the 2016 NGV Architecture Commission. Photo: Peter Bennetts.
Installation view of In Absence, 2019 designed by Yhonnie Scarce and Edition Office for the 2019 Architecture Commission at NGV International, Melbourne from 23 November 2019 – April 2020. Photo: Ben Hosking.
Installation view of In Absence, 2019 designed by Yhonnie Scarce and Edition Office for the 2019 Architecture Commission at NGV International, Melbourne from 23 November 2019 – April 2020. Photo: Ben Hosking.
Retallack Thompson and Other Architects Garden wall 2017, Commissioned by the National Gallery of Victoria Melbourne with the support of RMIT University, The Golden Age Group and The Hugh D. T. Williamson Foundation, Supported by The Golden Age Group, RMIT University and The Hugh D. T. Williamson Foundation. Photo: Peter Bennetts. Retallack Thompson and Other Architects Garden wall 2017, Commissioned by the National Gallery of Victoria Melbourne with the support of RMIT University, The Golden Age Group and The Hugh D. T. Williamson Foundation, Supported by The Golden Age Group, RMIT University and The Hugh D. T. Williamson Foundation. Photo: Peter Bennetts.