Illuminating Design: Akin Atelier’s Gallery Shop for Art Gallery of NSW New Sydney Modern Building

Nestled within the Entrance Pavilion of the Art Gallery of New South Wales’s Sydney Modern building, the Gallery Shop stands as a testament to innovation and collaboration. Crafted by Akin Atelier in partnership with Hayden Cox, this immersive retail space boasts a one-of-a-kind large-scale resin installation, offering visitors a mesmerizing experience of light and form.

Architectural Context

Designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architects Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa of SANAA, the Sydney Modern building represents a landmark cultural development in the heart of Sydney. Akin Atelier’s Gallery Shop serves as a focal point within this architectural masterpiece, blending seamlessly with its surroundings while capturing the essence of the Art Gallery’s vibrant atmosphere.

Sculptural Brilliance

Inspired by the natural and architectural elements of its environment, the Gallery Shop features fluid contours of bio-resin that wrap around its perimeter, creating a luminous boundary and display space. This innovative design allows for dynamic reflections of natural light, enhancing the overall ambiance of the shop and showcasing its curated collection of art, objects, and books.

Collaborative Innovation

Akin Atelier collaborated closely with Hayden Cox, renowned for his surfboard brand Haydenshapes, to push the boundaries of resin design and application. Over two years of experimentation and research, the team developed a custom formulation of bio-resin, enabling them to achieve unprecedented shapes and volumes that interact seamlessly with light and color.

Materiality and Transparency

The choice of resin as the primary material for the Gallery Shop reflects SANAA’s commitment to transparency and openness in architectural design. Handcrafted and meticulously finished, the resin installation responds to the shifting daylight and surrounding landscape, creating a unique visual dialogue with the gallery’s context.

Color and Craftsmanship

Led by Akin Atelier’s creative directors Kelvin Ho and Alexandra Holman, the color palette of the Gallery Shop pays homage to the sandstone hues of the original gallery building. Through a meticulous process of layering and hand-finishing, Cox’s team achieved a stunning gradient effect that echoes the geological layers of Sydney’s landscape.

Unprecedented Achievement

Comprising 29 unique resin modules, each painstakingly crafted and installed by an all-Australian team, the Gallery Shop represents a triumph of design, craftsmanship, and collaboration. From mold construction to final installation, every aspect of the project reflects a commitment to innovation and excellence.

In conclusion, Akin Atelier’s Gallery Shop for the Art Gallery of NSW’s Sydney Modern building is more than just a retail space—it is a sculptural installation that invites visitors to experience art, design, and architecture in a new and immersive way. Through its innovative use of materials, collaborative spirit, and dedication to craftsmanship, the Gallery Shop exemplifies the transformative power of architecture to inspire and delight.