Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery

A museum as a temporal and tentative atonement

The Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (TMAG) is of national significance as it is one of the oldest museums and art galleries in Australia and is the primary repository of Tasmanian natural and cultural material collections.

Its campus at Constitution Dock on Hobart’s waterfront includes a rich collection of heritage buildings including the Commissariat Store (1808-10), the Private Secretary’s Cottage (1815) and Custom House (1902). These individual buildings are significant in their own right as they are themselves artefacts and are an important part of the TMAG collection.

The Stage 1 Redevelopment and Adaptive Reuse TMAG is a subtle but dramatic addition to the highly distinctive and significant heritage fabric of TMAG. The redevelopment project capitalises on the potential of a prominent and highly significant site for both the people of Hobart and for visitors, with a high standard of conservation ensuring the longevity of the buildings themselves. The redevelopment is an exceptional example of integrating new work within highly sensitive and significant early Australian structures.

Inspiration is drawn from references of local artefacts and imagery within TMAG’s extensive collection as well as a rigorous response to existing built heritage fabric. What results is an architectural response which successfully integrates intricacies of the existing heritage forms with innovative architectural design.

TMAG is an exceptional example of successfully contributing to a community’s cultural capital by integrating new work within a highly sensitive structure. The development creates a new offering that fosters a deeper connection to the rich history, community and landscape that underpins this culturally significant site. It is a space that offers an enduring legacy to the community which will serve and inspired present and future generations.

Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery designed by fjmt