A group of world leading architecture firms, including one behind a Smithsonian museum and another who designed the Lego House in Denmark, have been shortlisted for a new art gallery in South Australia.

Six companies will submit proposals to build the contemporary art gallery on the old Royal Adelaide Hospital site.

SA Art Gallery director Nick Mitzzevich said the winning design would hopefully draw people to the city.

“Ouraimisnottocreateanoff-the peg architecturaliconbutapieceofAdelaide,” he said.

The architecture teams now have until April to submit their designs before the winner is announced in June.

Among the shortlisted firms are Adjaye Associates, the company that designed the Smithsonian Museum of African American History in Washington, and the Bjarke Ingels Group best known for its 12,000 square metre Lego House in Billund.

One local firm has made the shortlist, with Hassell to partner with American company SO-IL.

The new gallery will exhibit contemporary art from around the world alongside historical and contemporary Indigenous art.

 

By Benjamin Weir