The forecourt for the South Australian Museum is one of Adelaide’s most popular public spaces. In working with Museum staff, TCL developed a spatial arrangement which responds to the special needs of this important institution. A large event lawn, outdoor café and entrance paving have been incorporated within the forecourt which is sunken belowthe adjacent North Terrace pavement and accessed via a generous set of steps.
A key component of the brief was the Museum’s desire to showcase their values within the forecourt. This has resulted in a striking plane of red sand with meandering patterns of stone and desert plantswhich serve as a reminder that a large percentage of the Museum’s collection originates from Central Australia. A bioretention water treatment system, running along the edge of the red sand, filters storm-water before being released to underground storage. This water supplies 500,000 litres of water for irrigation of the forecourt gardens.
Awards 2001 - AILA (Vic) Award of Commendation, Building Settings category
