The Trust originally relocated to its Federation Square home in 2015, formerly occupying two floors of the Yarra Building. This latest renovation will see it transform from 1145 sq metres to expand its offerings to 1740 sq metres. The expansion will introduce new exhibition galleries, community engagement and education spaces, and an expanded retail experience, amongst others, that will enable KHT to grow its programs.

Visitors arrive to a new concierge where they begin their journey. Some will meander through the plaza level, along a diaphanous carved timber wall to discover artifacts or attend a workshop. Two generous and reconfigurable community rooms can be found here with adjacent catering functionality where larger events, ceremonial activities and gatherings can take place. An informal education lounge for school groups lives here as well. As with the previous KHT fit-out, the collection remains central to all experiences and encourages curiosity throughout.

Others may begin their journey on level two, where sweeping views over the Birrarung unfold. Two large exhibition spaces anchor this middle floor with open retail, media and project spaces surrounding. A gallery preparation room is on display here too, allowing the public a glimpse into the Trust’s workings when caring for and managing their culturally significant collection.

Visitors can from here make their way up to the existing third floor where vast wall display units engage the Trust’s art and artefacts collection – the largest collection of Koorie art and artefacts in Australia.

The new design makes available a wide range of public spaces for the community, allowing them to access First Nations knowledge and creative enterprises. At the heart of the design is reconnecting the building, via the interiors, to Birrarung - reversing the previous design paradigm in which Fed Square was the ‘front’ and the Yarra/Birrarung the ‘back’.

A series of sinuous curved walls, built out of local spotted gum timber, creates both a public wayfinding device and a narrative recalling the edge of the wetlands and ponds that previously occupied the site. A series of shimmering reflective ceiling elements, set on a deep blue, are located along this public route and further recall the significance of water to this Country. Episodic arrangements of vibrantly coloured carpet and furniture also reflect the deep colours of Country and its forms. Each of these elements are interspersed with exhibition areas to showcase the Trust’s valuable cultural collection.

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