The Fox: NGV Contemporary Design Competition → Exhibition celebrates the visionary and dynamic design approaches, work and creativity of eight multidisciplinary Australian design teams who took part in the design competition for one of the most significant projects in Australia’s cultural, civic, and architectural history.

In 2021, the design competition for the landmark gallery was announced by the Victorian Government. In an unprecedented move for a competition of this scale and civic profile, the competition was open exclusively to Australian architecture teams – an important acknowledgement of the depth of Australian architectural talent.

In response, Open Weave formed as a dynamic team; underpinned by Grimshaw’s Melbourne Studio as the anchor practice to support and facilitate Australian design leadership, and led by local architectural practice Baracco + Wright in the key role of design steward, the team was supported by the multidisciplinary practices of Winwood Mckenzie, McGregor Coxall Australia, Foolscap, Relative Projects, 20-20 Studio, Flux Consultants, AECOM, Eckersley O’Callaghan, 2x4 Inc, and Paul Memmott.

Featuring architectural drawings, renders, material prototypes, video presentations and more, The Fox: NGV Contemporary Design Competition exhibition celebrates the extraordinary creativity, innovation and collaborative spirit that empowered each proposed design for Australia’s largest gallery of contemporary art and design.

This exhibition focuses on material developed and submitted within the competition process. With each team responding to the same brief – a bold vision for a contemporary gallery of the 21st century – the diversity of ideas and strategies submitted provide a unique insight into architectural thinking and the design process. It also underscores the importance of design competitions as a generative and innovative way to procure architecture.

By presenting this exhibition and revealing the quality and breadth of ideas of all eight competing teams, the exhibition at The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia expands upon the competition’s aim to create a platform for Australia’s world-leading design and architecture industries.

The exhibition is divided into two sections: Stage One exhibits design materials from all eight architectural teams, while Stage Two provides depth on the proposals presented by the four shortlisted teams: Angelo Candalepas and Associates, Field, John Wardle Architects, and Open Weave.

The Fox: NGV Contemporary Design Competition Exhibition is on display at The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia, Fed Square, Melbourne until 5 February 2023.

Installation photography: Sean Fennessy