Kane Constructions was appointed to deliver Project Discover, the major renovation of the Australian Museum (AM).
Australia’s oldest museum is an iconic tourist attraction of state and national heritage significance, centrally located opposite Sydney’s Hyde Park at 1 William Street.
With a budget of $57.5 million, including $50.5 million funding from the NSW Government, Project Discover facilitated the first stage of the museum's transformation.
Project Discover has a new flexible touring exhibition hall across two levels to allow for one major exhibition or two exhibitions to be held simultaneously. The redevelopment has significantly improved the visitor experience with the creation of new education facilities, a new museum shop, a second café, expanded members’ lounge, cloaking and amenities.
Due to the extensive scope of works, the museum closed their doors to the public for the entire renovation. Staff remained working in the building due to the highly sensitive collections and exhibitions. This created a significant challenge whereby sensitive temperature controlled areas had to be maintained with continual dust and vibration monitoring to ensure there was no compromise to the valuable collections and heritage buildings.
Together with leading designers, Cox Architecture and Neeson Murcutt Architects, the project was completed in time for the Museum’s ‘Tyrannosaurs Rex – Meet the Family’ Exhibition.
Kane was pleased to partner with the Australian Museum again following the successful delivery of the award winning Crystal Hall project in 2015.
This project reached Practical Completion in October 2020.
