The Grounds of the NGA

A Brief History of the Design for the Grounds of the National Gallery of Australia

The grounds of the National Gallery of Australia were designed in 1981 by Harry Howard and Associates, in consultation with the Gallery's architects, Edwards, Madigan and Torzilllo, and Canberra's National Capital Development Commission (now the National Capital Planning Authority).

The sculpture garden was always considered a separate entity from the Gallery but entitled to the same level of care as any internal exhibition area, where the prime function is to display works of art. Given the symbiotic nature of the Gallery and the grounds, maquettes for some of the sculptures are almost always on display in window areas within the Gallery, as an inducement to visitors to seek out the full-scale sculptures in the grounds.

In accordance with the brief, the grounds were planted exclusively with Australian native species, such as eucalyptus, acacias, and grevilleas . The flora were selected and grouped according to their flowering times, so that the main garden areas are distinguished by the season, and designated as Winter, Spring or Summer.

Unfortunately, when the Gallery opened it was not possible to plant the Autumn garden. Since an extension is now planned for part of this site, it is unlikely that this area will ever be planted as originally designed.

The gardens are a skilful blend of formality and informality, of areas formally paved with grey slate or green grass, with casual paths and spaces of raked gravel. The trees and ponds provide natural habitats for many Australian native birds, insects and fresh water amphibians, especially frogs . A walk through the grounds rewards the visitor with long sweeping vistas across open plains to Lake Burley Griffin and Mount Ainslie beyond, or to forested, secluded display areas.

The original plan had sites for 50 works of which 20 are now occupied. However, plans now under consideration would change the flow of traffic around Parkes Place. At the same time, the grounds between the High Court and the National Gallery buildings would be re developed. The result would be a new focus for the area, allowing the development of more sites for sculptures.

The grounds provide a variety of settings for a disparate collection of works. Some need open spaces; others require the intimacy of foliage in the background. As Harry Howard said,

"The aim was to create diverse spatial experiences in which there is no feeling of Gallery or self-conscious display. The sculpture is a focal point in the landscape, completing the scene."

The grounds have won many awards and are now recorded on the World Heritage List.

NOTE: The background transparency is a detail of a drawing by Louis Buvelot (Switzerland/ Australia 1814-1888),titled "Macedon" circa 1872, pencil on paper, 38.2 x 28.0 cm, Collection: National Gallery of Australia.