The White Rabbit Gallery exhibits the world’s largest and most significant collection of contemporary Chinese art. This extraordinary collection, along with its beautifully adapted historic warehouse building, has made it one of Sydney’s most loved galleries, and has been instrumental in the transformation of the Chippendale area.
Expand ContentOur commission was to convert a freestanding brick warehouse and add another floor to create four floors of gallery space, a tea house, digital media theatre, reception, car parking and an artist-in-residence studio. The complex brief was synthesised into a simplified approach whereby the raw, textured brick shell of the industrial warehouse was complemented by simple, modern alterations. The result is an invigorating gallery experience and a robust backdrop for the striking artwork collection.
A three-storey sculpture hall permits the display of large-scale works and brings the dramatic play of natural light into the deepest part of the building. This space, together with stairs offering vertical circulation, is always visible from the street, allowing the exhibition to be viewed out of hours, which is a rare occurrence amongst art galleries.
Controlling the entry of natural light through the existing warehouse windows was a major concern. We sought a creative way to bring diffuse light into the building without glare or direct sun. Our solution was to place fluorescent light tubes, in place of conventional louvres, within sculptural window casements.
