Hall displays
During 2011–12, work was underway to transform the Hall of the Museum into a convivial central space, which links the Museum’s galleries with the shop, cafe, deck and garden. Ten significant objects, with the theme of ‘Travelling across Australia’, were selected for installation in the Hall. The display will immerse visitors in a visually stunning object experience, and will help to explain many of the architectural features that make the Museum building so unique.
Construction projects
In the reporting year, the Museum committed to a number of major construction projects on the Acton Peninsula site, including the refurbishment of the Museum’s cafe area. The aim of the project is to free up exhibition space in the Hall and to take advantage of our lakeside position. When completed the cafe will provide beautiful lakeside vistas and a stronger connection with the lake edge.
The other major building project currently underway is the Administration Extension Project. The project comprises an extension to the existing Museum administration wing, which has been designed by the original Museum architects, Ashton Raggatt McDougall. The single-storey extension will provide an additional 920 square metres of office accommodation for staff.
Technology in the Museum
During the year, a number of dated media technologies were replaced or updated across the Museum, providing significant improvement to their operations.
These included:
- replacing the dated Hall rear projection system (Optiwave) with a high definition digital video wall that delivers enhanced picture brightness and resolution
- installing a freestanding digital sign that provides information about Museum exhibitions and programs to visitors
- replacing the Kspace active 3D projectors to deliver a brighter, better quality picture
- installing a digital media control system, digital audio system and a motorised screen to provide a larger stage area for events and programs in the Visions theatre
- installing LED event lighting, offering improved capability, longer life, lower emissions and lower operating costs.
This year also saw the installation of a wireless network covering all Museum locations. This infrastructure will service both the Museum’s corporate and exhibition needs, as well as provide free internet access for visitors to the Museum.