Cultural Institutions Storage Facility

The Cultural Institutions Collection Storage Facility is a purpose-built, $92 million facility designed to support the long-term storage, care and preservation of South Australia’s most significant cultural collections. The facility serves the Art Gallery of South Australia, History Trust of South Australia, South Australian Museum, Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation, and the State Library of South Australia, providing high-capacity collection storage alongside specialist conservation and ancillary support spaces.

A key aspect of the project was the integration of dedicated First Nations collection spaces, requiring a culturally sensitive design response informed by specific cultural protocols, confidentiality requirements and ongoing stakeholder engagement.

The architectural response balances functional and security requirements with cultural significance, incorporating both overt and discreet strategies to ensure appropriate handling, storage and access.

Brown Falconer maintained close collaboration with the project team and Cultural Institution representatives throughout design and delivery, facilitated through structured Co-Lab workshops, design reviews and one-on-one consultation. The project also presented complex technical challenges around thermal performance, environmental stability and enhanced security, addressed through coordinated architectural, envelope and services design strategies.