Benmax is currently on-site delivering the mechanical services for the Newcastle Art Gallery major expansion project after securing the contract from construction specialists Hansen Yuncken.

Located in Cook Hill, the Newcastle Art Gallery is recognised as one of the finest public art collections in Australia and is custodian of over 7,000 works of art valued at around $126 million.

The $43.8 million expansion and upgrade project will deliver an additional 1,600 square meters of exhibition space to the existing gallery building, new multi-purpose and educational program spaces, café and retail shop, as well as create a secure international standard loading dock, extending the building’s current footprint along Darby Street and Queen Street.

A key feature of the HVAC systems on this project will be the strict temperature and humidity control requirements and 24/7 operation of the systems to protect the invaluable contents of the building. Having delivered major refurbishment and upgrade works across several projects requiring total temperature and humidity control including the National Gallery of Australia and National Archives of Australia, Benmax are well placed to deliver this project for the Hunter region.

The reimagined Gallery is due to open to the public again in February 2026 and is set to launch a new era of cultural tourism that will promote the area as an active and vibrant centre for the arts in NSW.

Project features:

• Multi-purpose and educational program spaces
• Café and retail shop
• Strict temperature and humidity control requirements
• HVAC systems to operate 24 hours a day, seven days per week
• Targeting airtightness testing to ATTMA Technical Standard L2
• Project will utilise BIM technology for integration of new and existing works
• BMS upgrade across site

The Benmax team are looking forward to once again partnering with Hansen Yuncken following the successful completion of numerous projects together including our most recent project at Maitland Administration Centre.