Our new galleries will ensure we have the necessary space to tell our nation’s continuing service stories, for all generations of visitors, as they commemorate and understand Australia’s experience of war and operations.

The project includes a new southern entrance, a new Anzac Hall and glazed link, new gallery fit-outs in the main building creating additional exhibition galleries, an extension to the CEW Bean Building to house a new research centre and Reading Room, and Parade Ground and landscaping works to accommodate increased attendance at events. The iconic façade of the sandstone building, Commemorative Area housing the Roll of Honour, Pool of Reflection and Hall of Memory, will not change.

The new designs will make it easier for visitors with impaired mobility to explore our exhibitions, create improved spaces for education programs, and will include new areas for private functions and public programs.

About the architectural designs

The architectural designs of the Memorial’s new buildings were approved by the National Capital Authority (NCA) on 24 November 2021. For more information on the approvals process, see Process and Approvals.

New Southern Entrance

Includes Main Building Refurbishment Works (external), Forecourt and Parade Ground Works.

Designed by Scott Carver Pty Ltd, the new Southern Entrance will be located immediately below the existing main building forecourt. It will improve weatherproof access to the main building, with particular consideration to the needs of people with impaired mobility, and will provide additional access to lower level galleries. The oculus above the new entrance will offer a view toward the main building and the dome of the Hall of Memory.

The heritage entrance, stairs and Commemorative forecourt will be reinstated in their original positions and will remain available as an alternative entrance to the Memorial for visitors who wish to use it.

Expanding and re-shaping the parade ground has been designed to improve sight lines to the Stone of Remembrance. It will be used for military parades, and provide increased and improved accessible seating capacity for major events, as well as enhancing visitor safety and site security.

 

CEW Bean Building Extension

Designed by Lyons Architecture, the CEW Bean Building extension will offer more space to house the Museum’s extensive archives. It will also allow us to consolidate operational and administrative functions that currently take place in the main building, thus freeing up space in the main building for gallery content.

The extension and refurbishment will occur to the east and to the south of the existing building, aligning with the forecourt in front of Poppy’s Café.

A new world-class research centre will be integrated into the CEW Bean Building to provide efficient and secure access to the National Collection and reference materials, as well as offering visitors welcoming, light-filled spaces.

 

New Anzac Hall and Glazed Link

Designed by Cox Architecture Pty Ltd, the New Anzac Hall provides an additional 4,000m² of gallery space with the construction of a new two-storey building. It will display exhibitions and house artefacts from our National Collection that currently cannot be put on displayed for the public.

The Glazed Link will make use of the area between the main building and old Anzac Hall. It will house non-light-sensitive large objects from our collection, a café/restaurant, and space to support the Memorial’s educational programs.

The decision to rebuild Anzac Hall was made following a comprehensive study and rigorous analysis of possible alternatives. This outcome was determined to be the least complex, best value-for-money approach that would not threaten the integrity of the heritage main building. For further information, please refer to our frequently asked questions.

 

Acknowledgement of Traditional Custodians

The Australian War Memorial acknowledges the traditional custodians of country throughout Australia. We recognise their continuing connection to land, sea and waters. We pay our respects to elders past and present.