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A place for Art

Sofala is a town with a collection of rich art and culture beneath its history. The intriguing town has been the backdrop generating multiple artworks, paintings, sculptures inspired by the regional Australian landscape.

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Set against the sloping topography that overlooks a ridge and set back from the entry bridge, the site was oriented to open up as much of the interior spaces to the natural trees, as many of the forest being preserved. The gallery was layered in a sequence of rooms that were curated for the user to move in a rhythmic pattern of movement. The thicker concrete walls were designed to provide small glimpses into different rooms and act as a transitionary compressed zone before the next layer of spaces unfolded.

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The main galleries were separated into 4 sections, with a courtyard that opened up to the north which descended down the slope into the forest path. A library and temporary artist retreat was joined to the east of the gallery. The entry was a sloping path of watery garden ponds and layered sequence of walls and ramps that led to the foyer.