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.
The Memorial’s new buildings and spaces will enhance our visitors’ experience as they commemorate and understand Australia’s experience of war and operations.
The heritage of the main Memorial and museum building will be protected, including the iconic outline of the Memorial’s sandstone building’s façade as it is seen from Anzac Parade. The Commemorative Area, the Hall of Memory, and Tomb of the Unknown Australian Soldier will not change. The original Commemorative Forecourt, stairs and heritage entrance will be reinstated as they appear now, and will remain available for those who wish to use them.
The new southern entrance will make it easier for all visitors, particularly those with impaired mobility, to enter the Memorial on a new lower ground level and will better connect our galleries to improve the way they can explore our extensive exhibitions through the main building and new Anzac Hall. The southern entrance will also: house the Memorial shop, include new spaces for private and public functions, and offer amenities and cloaking facilities.
The design of the new Anzac Hall will improve connections between the new galleries and the main Memorial building, create additional exhibition space, and improve how visitors can explore the Memorial’s galleries and exhibitions. New gallery fitouts in the main building will include quiet places for reflection, and improved spaces for education programs. The new exhibitions allow visitors greater connection and engagement with the stories and objects on display.
A new Research Centre and Reading Room will provide extended space to house, protect, digitise and preserve the Memorial’s extensive archives. This new facility will also enhance our service for family history and academic research by offering more efficient and secure access to the National Collection and reference materials, and allow us to offer more welcoming, light-filled spaces for our research community.
Following the Australian Government’s approval of the Memorial’s Detailed Business Case to develop its galleries, a comprehensive architectural design competition was conducted in 2019.
Entrants were asked to provide design solutions within the approved project budget that managed heritage risks, provided flexible and functional exhibition space, and enhanced the visitor experience. The shortlisted selection of architects had the option to retain the current Anzac Hall in any proposed concept designs.
Four concept designs – one of which included a proposal to expand the old Anzac Hall – were entered in the design competition.
A design jury – comprising three highly-regarded architects, two senior Memorial staff, and supported by an independent heritage conservation advisor – assessed the submissions.
After careful study, the designs submitted by Cox Architecture and Scott Carver Architects were selected for the New Anzac Hall and Glazed Link, and the new Southern Entry and Parade Ground. Separately, Lyons architecture was selected through a tender and value-for-money assessment for the CEW Bean Building Extension works.