This month we celebrated the official opening of the spectacular new international-standard art space, HOTA Gallery. A centrepiece of Gold Coast’s cultural infrastructure, HOTA Gallery creates exciting new job opportunities following on from the 2018 Commonwealth Games. Showcasing the best in contemporary art and design it is viewed as a significant and transformational milestone for the City and creative industry. As Gold Coast’s home for arts, culture and civic celebration, the precinct will become a must-see destination for residents and tourists.
A vertical format building with public spaces spanning the ground floor and a further five levels, to best experience HOTA gallery it is suggested to start at the top and work your way down. At the rooftop bar expect breathtaking 360-degree views of the Gold Coast city skyline and hinterland, with more scenic vantage points as you make your way to the ground floor and the 1,000m2 AAA-rated main exhibit hall – a climate controlled space, meeting international standards for touring exhibitions of fine art.
The striking aluminium and glass façade is both durable and functional, visually unifying the gallery with the surrounding landscape through the Voronoi pattern – commonly seen in nature from plant cells and pineapples, to giraffes and bubbles – and reflected in the precinct’s outdoor stage and Green Bridge. The colour palette is inspired by Queensland artist William Robinson’s prize-winning piece The Rainforest which is a highlight among the City’s art collection.
The City of Gold Coast launched a global competition to redesign the 17-hectare site, receiving 75 entries worldwide. ARM Architecture was chosen as the design winner, while Hansen Yuncken were engaged to construct the 5,500m2 gallery, with works commencing on the first of the two-stage delivery in late 2017.
Hansen Yuncken’s experience was vital in developing the original concept into a detailed set of design documents. A full BIM process was adopted, assisted by Hansen Yuncken’s BIM Management team to resolve key design and construction challenges including
As construction of the main works commenced in late April 2019 with handover occurring in early February 2021, the bulk of the project was built during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, further adding to the construction challenges.
Despite this, Hansen Yuncken achieved practical completion on time and on budget, delivering a building of the highest quality.
“To have a project of this complexity constructed on budget and on time, and through the chaos of a COVID year, is absolutely exceptional.”
— Professor Ned Pankhurst, HOTA Board Chair
This quality crafted and functional gallery will accommodate the valuable but rarely seen City Collection, as well as showcase local artists, national and international touring exhibitions, and provide a platform for locals and visitors of all ages to engage with both art and each other.
On your visit to the HOTA Gallery the young and young-at-heat can create through interactive art and hands on activities in the Children’s Gallery. Enjoy a drink while taking in Gold Coast city and hinterland views at the rooftop Exhibitionist Bar on Level 5, or delight in a fine dining experience at Palette Restaurant located on the Ground Level.