Denton Corker Marshall’s (DCM) design for the $34.5-million Shepparton Art Museum (SAM) has been approved by the Victorian Government.

This follows the proposed design being selected in April to replace the existing art museum in Shepparton. According to the jury, their proposal stood out for its powerful and relevant ‘sculptural’ expression, as well as for its consideration of the immediate and greater environment in which it will sit.

The four façades of the five-storey, cubic-designed building will meet at different heights to create the sense of abstraction. At the base of each frontage, the metallic façade plate digresses from the building’s core to form an ‘L’-shape, providing a suspended ledge that hovers above the forecourt below. These ‘L’-shaped forms provide shade and shelter, and reference the traditional verandahs of Shepparton and Australian country towns.

The Victorian state government will invest $10 million into the project. The remainder of the cost will be fronted by Greater Shepparton City Council, the Commonwealth Government and philanthropic donations that have been received through the SAM Foundation.

“This is a very exciting project for the municipality and an important one that positions Greater Shepparton as a progressive region not only in the arts world but as tourism destination,” says Kim O’Keeffe, Greater Shepparton City Council deputy mayor.

DCM’s design was one of five shortlisted proposals, which were selected from a pool of 88 entries. Other shortlisted practices included John Wardle Architects, Kerstin Thompson Architects, Lyons Architecture and MvS Architects.

Construction on Shepparton Art Museum is set to commence in 2018. From there, the project is estimated to take two years to complete.

Images: Denton Corker Marshall

Nicholas Rider

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