Inaugurated in December 2022, the Sydney Modern by SANAA is a remarkable architectural expansion of the Art Gallery of New South Wales in central Sydney.

Situated between existing heritage listed buildings and in close vicinity to the UNESCO listed Sydney Opera House, the design responds to the challenging topographical and cultural constraints of the site by stacking a series of interconnected boxes into the the ground, carefully changing and expanding the natural topography.

SANAA’s material response is minimalist and transparent. Clad in crystalline glass façades held by seemly light-weight steel structures, the bodies of the boxes create a changing dialog of internal/external and reflect the ever-changing light of Sydney Harbor, while creating fantastic views of the city and its natural topography. This subtle but significant design choice ensures that the Sydney Modern Project does not overshadow the Opera House but instead complements its unique architectural language.