Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney
Framing Light and Space with Custom Metal Ceilings at the Sydney Modern Project
The Sydney Modern Project represents a landmark expansion of the Art Gallery of New South Wales and a visionary collaboration between SANAA and Architectus and constructed by Richard Crookes Constructions. The project has created a new light-filled gallery building that nearly doubles exhibition space and establishes an elegant dialogue between art, architecture and the surrounding landscape.
To complement the building’s refined, minimal aesthetic, SAS International Australia supplied a combination of ceiling and vertical blade systems including the SAS750 Vertiline blade system, SAS205 tiles and SAS320 tiles, all finished in RAL 9016 (Traffic White). These products feature prominently throughout the large entrance areas, mezzanine levels and gallery rooms, providing a cohesive architectural rhythm and superior acoustic performance across the project’s key public zones.
The Vertiline blades introduce a clean vertical articulation that enhances spatial depth and light diffusion, while the SAS205 and SAS320 ceiling systems deliver precise modular integration for a seamless aesthetic across expansive gallery ceilings. The SAS205 is a suspended metal tile system designed for accessible service zones, offering clean edge definition and hidden suspension for a continuous ceiling plane.
The SAS320 system, specified with the 5149 perforation pattern, provides enhanced acoustic absorption through integrated acoustic pads, maintaining excellent sound control in high-volume gallery spaces. Together, these systems combine durability, accessibility and precision, supporting both the functional and visual performance of the new gallery environment.
All systems are manufactured by SAS International under its ISO 14001–accredited environmental management system and incorporate materials with high recycled content and are fully recyclable at end of life. SAS International’s commitment to sustainable manufacturing and closed-loop aluminium recycling supports the project’s overall environmental objectives.
SAS International worked closely with Richard Crookes Construction and the design team to engineer a tailored solution that aligned with the project’s visual and performance requirements. The result is a series of ceiling and wall treatments that express quiet precision, elevate the gallery experience and support the project’s achievement as Australia’s first public art museum to receive a 6-Star Green Star sustainability rating.
Architect :
SANAA with Architectus
Sector:
Cultural & Public Infrastructure
Main Contractor :
System Type:
SAS205, SAS320 & SAS750 Vertiline
Region :
Australia
Completion Year :
2022
Photographer:
