The National Museum of Australia commissioned a revitalisation of its primary entry experience within the Gandel Atrium — a vast, football-field-sized volume designed by ARM Architecture. The brief called for a decluttering and rationalisation of existing displays, alongside the creation of a compelling and memorable arrival experience befitting a national cultural institution.

A new spatial and graphic language was developed to introduce impact, gravitas, surprise and moments of humour. The design encourages curiosity and deeper engagement, prompting visitors toward further exploration. Modular exhibition elements, thematic storytelling and integrated digital opportunities were introduced, alongside the identification of key “icon” objects. A particularly complex intervention involved integrating new display cases into the atrium’s irregular structural columns, creating a dialogue between exhibition and architecture. Layered interpretive strategies allow multiple narratives to be communicated simultaneously across object display, graphics and multimedia, supporting diverse learning styles and reinforcing the museum’s role as a place of discovery.

A SUPERSENSE project completed in collaboration with CLD.