Initial designs for the new Canberra Convention Centre have been unveiled by the Australian Capital Territory Government.
A nine-member judging panel unanimously chose the ‘poetic and sculptural treatment of architectural form’ of a concept design by local firm Guida Moseley Brown and Rome-based architect Massimiliano Fuksas. They will now develop a reference design for the A$700 million centre to be built on the shores of Canberra’s Lake Burley Griffin.
Guida Moseley Brown was responsible for Canberra International Airport, Parliament House and numerous public projects in Southeast Asia, while Fuksas recently completed international projects including the New Trade Fair in Milan and Shenzen International Airport in China.
The winners were picked from a shortlist of seven candidates. The judging panel included chief executive of the National Capital Authority Malcolm Snow, ACT Government Architect Alastair Swayne, Canberra Convention Bureau chief executive Robyn Hendry, Australian Institute of Architects Gold Medallist John Denton and City to the Lake project director Tim Xirakis.
Andrew Barr, chief minister of the Australian Capital Territory, said: “Selecting an initial design is an important milestone in making the new convention centre investment-ready. The next step is for the winning architects to work with the ACT Government, industry and stakeholders to finalise a reference design and business case for the centre.”
