Newcastle Art Gallery Expansion Project

Delivering a world-class cultural facility for the City of Newcastle.

The Newcastle Art Gallery expansion project will deliver an additional 1,600 square meters of exhibition space to showcase Newcastle’s collection and the most groundbreaking artistic works. The project will also feature a new café and retail shop, multipurpose and educational program spaces, a secure international-standard loading dock, and will extend the building’s footprint along Darby Street and Queen Street.

Engenicom has been engaged to provide client-side project management, contract administration, design management, technical and asset integration support to deliver this unique project.

Key responsibilities include:

• Project Administration and Contract Compliance:
  • Ensuring compliance with GC21 contract requirements, including scope, budget, schedule, and quality standards.
  • Establishing document control systems for managing project documentation.
  • Providing regular reporting on project status, budget, schedule, risks, and key issues.
  • Managing construction contractor performance to ensure timely and high-quality delivery.
• Program and Schedule Management:
  • Reviewing and approving the contractor’s baseline construction program.
  • Identifying and mitigating potential delays to ensure project timelines are met.
• Cost Management and Budget Control:
  • Assessing, negotiating, and processing change orders in accordance with GC21 procedures.
  • Identifying value engineering opportunities to achieve cost savings while maintaining design integrity.
• Risk Management and Issue Resolution:
  • Conducting regular risk assessments and maintaining a risk register.
  • Acting as the primary liaison for problem resolution between contractors and stakeholders.
  • Ensuring site safety compliance and adherence to regulatory standards.
• Quality Control and Assurance:
  • Reviewing and enforcing the contractor’s quality management plan.
  • Conducting site inspections to verify adherence to specifications, particularly for exhibition spaces, climate control, and lighting systems.
  • Managing defect identification and resolution prior to project handover.
• Stakeholder and Communication Management:
  • Coordinating engagement among stakeholders, including the City of Newcastle, contractors, designers, and regulatory bodies.
  • Providing regular updates to the client on project status, risks, and key decisions.
  • Organising and chairing project meetings, documenting discussions, actions, and resolutions.
• Environmental and Conservation Considerations:
  • Ensuring contractor compliance with environmental requirements, particularly in relation to protecting sensitive art collections.
  • Verifying that HVAC and climate control systems meet specific requirements for exhibition spaces.
• Handover and Closeout Process:
  • Coordinating system commissioning (HVAC, lighting, security) to confirm proper functionality.
  • Assembling and delivering as-built drawings, warranties, operations manuals, and maintenance documentation to the client.

Engenicom is proud to support this landmark cultural project, ensuring Newcastle Art Gallery’s expansion is delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest standards of quality and functionality.