THE BOTANIC Gardens have launched a national competition to select an architect to design The Ian Potter National Conservatory.
Gardens General Manager Peter Byron said the Conservatory will be a national and international showcase for tropical Australian native flora and a must see exhibition in the Gardens.
“The Gardens has issued a national invitation to architects and their design teams for Expressions of Interest to design the Conservatory,” Peter said.
“Up to four teams will be selected from the EOI to compete in the design for what is expected to be an inspirational building. The winning architect will be announced in July 2016.
“The challenge of selecting the winner will be undertaken by an eminent competition jury chaired by award winning architect Richard Johnson AO. All of the submitted designs will be exhibited for public viewing at the end of the competition process.
“This exciting project is funded by the Australian Government together with the generous contribution of a $1.5 million grant from The Ian Potter Foundation – the largest ever private donation received by the Australian National Botanic Gardens.
“The realisation of this project will expand the Gardens’ capability to conserve and display the world’s most comprehensive collection of living Australian native plants and provide a unique tourism opportunity in the National Capital.
“The new conservatory will display tropical Australian plants from northern Australia including threatened plants from Kakadu and Christmas Island National Parks.
“The construction of The Ian Potter National Conservatory is planned to commence in early 2017 with the official opening in early 2018.
“The conservatory is one of the major recommendations from the Gardens Master Plan released in 2015 and will be the first construction project to manifest from the 20 year vision.”
Key Dates:
STAGE ONE: National EOI from eligible architects and their multidisciplinary teams closes 4pm AEST on Thursday 5 May 2016.
STAGE TWO: Up to four entrants will be selected to participate in the design competition.Select Competition Closes on Thursday 7 July 2016.
Winners will be announced on 18 July 2016.
Further competition information and selection documentation are available at anbg.gov.au
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