Australia War Memorial expansion unveiled

Officially opened in 1941, the Australian War Memorial is an iconic building of national significance. More than one million people visit the Memorial every year to honour the members' service. The time has come to modernise and expand the galleries and buildings to tell the continuing story of Australia's contemporary contribution.

Experts in Public and Heritage buildings, TTW was selected to provide structural, civil and traffic engineering services for the eight-year Australian War Memorial Development Project. The project designs include a new southern entrance, refurbishment of the main building, a new Anzac Hall which is connected to the main building via a glazed link, and an extension to the Bean Building to integrate research collections and services. Sensitively connected to the existing landscape, the detailed plans will ensure the heritage façade of the main building remains unchanged.

Work on the project begun in 2019, and is anticipated to be complete by 2027.

New southern entrance


Designed by Scott Carver Pty Ltd, the new southern entrance will be created below the existing forecourt and connect through to the lower level of the main building.

Access will be via the eastern and western arrival courtyards. The western arrival courtyard will be ramped to provide access from the western car parks. The eastern arrival courtyard will have a stepped entrance from the ground level forecourt, with ramped and lift access to the underground and eastern car parks.

The connection to the main building will be maintained through a new focal point, the oculus, located at the heart of the new southern entrance.

Anzac Hall and glazed link


Designed by Cox Architecture Pty Ltd, the new Anzac Hall provides an additional 4,000m˛ of gallery space with the construction of a new two-storey building to house and display exhibitions, large technology objects and galleries.

The glazed link, also designed by Cox Architecture, will strengthen and improve connectivity between the main building and Anzac Hall and will contain non-light sensitive large technology objects (including aircraft and armoured vehicles), a café/restaurant, and space to support the Memorial's educational programs.

Bean Building extension


Designed by Lyons Architecture the extension of the C.E.W. Bean Building to the east and south will align with the forecourt in front of Poppy's Café. This will allow the consolidation of the research collections and services, the relocation of the backend operations from the main building, and the establishment of a world-class Research Centre. The sites central plant is also being incorporated into the building extension.

Main Building Refurbishment


Designed by Guida Moseley Brown Architects the main building refurbishment will enhance wayfinding and exhibition flexibility within the existing spaces.

Public realm works


Turf Design is responsible for the integration of the buildings within the existing memorial landscape context with our civil team providing support with roads and pathways.

Expanded parade ground


Extension and re-profiling of the parade ground to address accessibility constraints, enhancing site security and accommodating increased visitor attendance at events.

Client: Australian War Memorial

Architect: Scott Carver, COX, Lyons, GMB and Turf Landscape

Value: $499m

Completion: 2027

Sector: Government & Public, Art & Culture

Services: Structural, Civil, Traffic