SYDNEY.- Bundanon Trust announced six Australian architecture firms shortlisted for the Trust’s national competition to deliver a Masterplan to enliven the 1100-hectare property in regional New South Wales with a world-class creative learning centre, visitor hub, residential quarters and a gallery to house the $37.5 million Arthur Boyd art collection.

The competition is part of the Trust’s Masterplan for the heritage-listed site, developed by Tonkin Zulaikha Greer, that seeks to increase visitation by more than 100 percent and secure Bundanon as a leading cultural and tourist attraction in regional Australia, whilst delivering substantial economic benefits to the Shoalhaven region in New South Wales.

The shortlisted architecture firms are: Virginia Kerridge Architect (NSW); Kerstin Thompson Architects (VIC); Room 11 (VIC/TAS); Peter Elliot Architecture + Urban Design (VIC); Jackson Clements Burrows Architects (VIC); and Chenchow Little Architects (VIC). The shortlist were selected by a jury chaired by John Denton, Director of Denton Corker Marshall, and including Bundanon Trust Chair Shane Simpson AM, landscape architect and newly appointed Dean of Design, Architecture and Building at UTS, Professor Elizabeth Mossop and Brian Zulaikha, Director of Tonkin Zulaikha Greer.

Chief executive of Bundanon Trust, Deborah Ely, commented: “We are delighted with the quality of architects our jury has shortlisted to help the Trust realise the potential of this culturally significant site. The Masterplan will allow us to fulfill Arthur Boyd’s vision of a gallery to house his gift of significant artworks and enhance our capacity to support creative learning for students. With a state-of-the-art gallery and new visitor facilities Bundanon will not only secure its own future sustainability but make a positive economic impact in the Shoalhaven.”

Gifted to the Australian people by Arthur and Yvonne Boyd in 1993, Bundanon Trust encompasses the Bundanon Homestead site and the Riversdale site, currently welcoming around 40,000 visitors each year. The Trust was placed on the Commonwealth Heritage List in 2015 in recognition of the Trust’s significance to Australia’s art and cultural history.

The winning architect will design a new Boyd Art Gallery designed to house more than 3,800 items valued at $37.5 million, including 1300 artworks by Arthur Boyd plus many other works by leading Australian artists including Boyd peers Sidney Nolan, Charles Blackman, Brett Whiteley and John Perceval, as well as contemporary works drawn from participants in the Trust’s artist in residence program. Giving close attention to the outstanding landscape qualities of the site they will also develop a creative learning centre that will provide world class facilities for adults, school students and artists.

Riversdale is one of four sites on the 1100-hectare property and is separate from the Bundanon location that houses the 1866 homestead and other historic buildings. The site also houses the award-winning Boyd Education Centre designed by acclaimed Australian architect Glenn Murcutt, Wendy Lewin and Reg Lark.

The development would lead to substantial regional economic benefits including $51 million of spending and 142 jobs during the construction phase, with an additional $10.4 million and 59 jobs to flow into the economy once the site is complete.

The winner of the competition will be announced in December 2016.