Singleton Arts and Cultural Centre

The new Singleton Arts and Cultural Centre encourages fresh and exciting creative opportunities in the Hunter Valley region for both locals and visitors. The building aims to promote these initiatives by providing space for functions and local art exhibitions, while also offering rural communities access to international displays.

Situated on a floodplain, the project shares its extensive site with the existing Visitor’s Information Centre (VIC). As a result, the new building manages a dichotomy between forging its own visual identity with recognising its neighbouring structure.

The centre remains flexible throughout, catering to diverse demographics and adapting to changes in exhibitions. Its innovative design is future-proofed to allow for further expansion. The universal design is best exemplified by the South-Eastern gallery wall, which overlooks the sculpture garden. Windows of various heights and sizes punctuate the concrete exterior, offering a range of perspectives enjoyed by both children and adults. This recessed wall encourages interaction between the internal gallery and the external sculpture court, extending the art experience.

The main gallery is open and adaptable, allowing for easy transformation to accommodate various exhibitions and community events. Exposed steel beams run across the space, revealing services above in a manner that honours the building’s honest use of materials. The industrial-themed palette is further expressed through tilt-up concrete walls, which provide a solid foundation contrasting with the lighter steel roofing and structural elements.

Along the corridor, two artists’ studios with wet areas connect to the main building. The studios differ in shape, layout, and colour. Vivid red steel cladding and steep roof forms establish the new building as a future icon in the Hunter Valley. With bold, sloping roofs, the gallery stands out as a striking feature from the parkland as visitors travel along the busy New England Highway—an important route for tourists. The precinct has become a place where art and culture are both appreciated and actively created by the community.