Andrew Phillips, Structural Engineer at Arup, talks about the Naala Badu (formerly known as the Sydney Modern Project), which won the Best Project of the Year 2024 constructsteel award. He highlights the innovative use of steel in transforming the Art Gallery of New South Wales (AGNSW), focusing on sustainability, adaptive reuse of historical structures, and the architectural collaboration that brought the gallery’s expansion to life.
As part of a series of Q&As, constructsteel interviews experts within the construction sector on aspects of steel’s performance and sustainability.
Congratulations on receiving the Best Project of the Year 2024 constructsteel award for Naala Badu (formerly the Sydney Modern Project)! Can you share an overview of the project and Arup’s role?
Thank you! It was truly an honour to accept this award on behalf of the Arup team, the Art Gallery of New South Wales (AGNSW), and all our collaborators. The Sydney Modern Project is a major expansion of the Art Gallery of NSW, almost doubling its exhibition space and transforming the gallery into a dynamic and immersive experience for both local and international audiences. Arup provided over 10 disciplines from concept through to completion, covering structural, civil, and even acoustics and lighting. We worked closely with SANAA, the design architects from Tokyo, and Architectus the executive architect from Sydney, ensuring that the design vision was realised in every detail.
Steel played a significant role in realising the architectural vision. Why was steel the right material for this project?
Steel was integral for two main reasons. First, it allowed us to meet SANAA’s vision of a light, elegant, and open structure. The architect’s concept of linked pavilions with slender forms called for something that could span large spaces without heavy structural elements. Steel was the perfect solution. The second reason is that the site itself presented challenges—only about 30% of it was on natural ground, and much of it was built over existing infrastructure. Steel provided the lightness we needed to build on top of structures like a land bridge over an expressway, and two subterranean concrete oil tanks built by the Australian Navy during WWII, ensuring minimal load on these structures.
Sustainability was key to the project. How did you address challenges in reusing the landbridge and WWII oil tanks? Additionally, how did you consider environmental aspects?
Sustainability was central to the Sydney Modern project, requiring the reuse of existing structures like the landbridge and WWII oil tanks. The landbridge, not designed to support a building, so required a lightweight steel structure and careful load distribution. The oil tanks were repurposed—one converted into a gallery, the other for a loading dock and back of house facilities.
Environmental strategies further enhanced sustainability. A rainwater harvesting system reduced water consumption for cooling and irrigation, while a performance-based fire protection system safeguarded artworks without water damage. These efforts earned the Art Gallery’s new building a 6 Star Green Star rating, the highest for an Australian public art museum.
The use of exposed steel in the design is stunning. Could you walk us through some key structural features?
Absolutely. One of the standout features of the project is the exposed steelwork, which was used to maintain the architectural elegance. Many of the roofs are either green or trafficable, and several of them have gentle curvatures—something that was ideal for steel. The steel framing allowed us to use a reciprocal frame for the largest roofs, which was both efficient and true to the design intent. In areas where the structure was exposed, we kept the connections as simple and elegant as possible, bolted where we could, welded where necessary. There was also a significant focus on minimising bracing, which you can see in the entry canopy. The architects wanted the structure to appear as if it was floating, so we achieved this with a sway frame system that allowed for no visible bracing.
The project also required customised steel elements. Could you elaborate on that?
Yes, one of the more interesting aspects was the custom trapezoidal steel decking that SANAA had specified based on a previous project in Japan. Unfortunately, this specific decking profile wasn’t available in Australia, so we partnered with BlueScope Steel to create a similar product. This required extensive testing to ensure the composite behaviour of the slabs and steel framing met our performance standards. It was a perfect example of how steel’s flexibility and adaptability can help realise an architect’s vision.
What was the reason for reusing rather than demolishing the landbridge and oil tanks? What architectural concept guided this approach?
The decision to repurpose the landbridge and oil tanks was driven by pragmatic, environmental and cultural considerations. Rather than demolishing these structures, we chose to embrace their existing form, integrating them into the new design. This approach not only minimises environmental impact but also honours the historical significance of the site. The guiding architectural principle was adaptive reuse, which allows for the preservation of heritage while transforming the space for contemporary needs. By maintaining the core structure, we’ve created a building that balances history and modernity, demonstrating how old and new can coexist in a meaningful way.
The project transformed the oil tanks into new gallery spaces through reuse and reinterpretation. Do you believe such adaptive reuse in architecture and construction will have a positive impact on the future of the industry?
The adaptive reuse of the oil tank into gallery spaces was a pivotal aspect of this project. I believe that this type of architectural innovation will play an increasingly important role in the future of the industry. Adaptive reuse allows us to breathe new life into old structures, preserving their unique character while meeting modern requirements. This approach not only reduces waste but also enhances sustainability by maximising the potential of existing resources. It’s a reflection of a shift towards more responsible design practices, where preservation and innovation go hand in hand, paving the way for a more sustainable and thoughtful architectural future.
What do you hope visitors will take away from the Sydney Modern experience?
Ultimately, we hope visitors experience the transformation of the Art Gallery of NSW into a 21st-century cultural destination. The design brings together the best of art, architecture, and the environment. We want people to feel inspired by both the art and the space, and by the way the building invites them to interact with their surroundings. It’s been an absolute pleasure to work on this project with such an exceptional team, and we’re proud to have contributed to something that will continue to inspire generations.
It’s an honour to be part of this project, and we’re thrilled to see the Sydney Modern Project come to life.
It’s been a journey, and we’re excited to see it become a key cultural landmark in Sydney.
Project Team
- Entering Organisation: Arup
- Architects – Design architect: SANAA | Executive architect: Architectus
- Structural Engineer: Arup
- Head Contractor: Richard Crookes Constructions
- Steel Fabricator: Samaras Structural Engineers
- Steel Detailer: Elmasry Steel Design & Detailing
Learn more: Arup