The New AOC  |  Become A Patron

The AOC is privileged that its upcoming new facility has been designed by internationally acclaimed Sydney-based architects Wendy Lewin and Dunn + Hillam, based on an initial concept by Wendy Lewin and Glenn Murcutt. The new AOC will be an architectural wonder that will draw visitors from around the world.

Our architectural team have sustained their commitment to the Australian Opal Centre team for more than 20 years - inspiring, and being inspired by, the dedicated community that is determined to deliver this important project.

Following the decision in 2019 to stage construction of the building, Stage 1 design and documentation was completed by Wendy Lewin in association with Dunn + Hillam Architects, supported by a skilled team of design consultants.

Wendy Lewin
Wendy Lewin is a Life Fellow of the Australian Institute of Architects and recipient of State, National and International awards for her built architectural work and her contribution to architecture, education and the profession. Her projects include residential, mixed use, cultural and educational facilities.

Wendy has taught at the University of Sydney, University of NSW, UTS, and Hong Kong University. She has served as a jury member for the Australian Institute of Architects Awards and is a Founding Member and former Vice President of the Australian Architecture Association. Her varied advisory and curatorial roles include Creative Director for the 2008 Australian exhibition at the Venice Architecture Biennale, and Curator of the 2018 ‘Australia Now’ architecture exhibition at the Mori Sky Gallery, Tokyo for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. 

Dunn & Hillam Architects design buildings that engage with their site and location, across all scales of building in cities, regional, rural and remote areas. They are known for their experience and management of construction, value-adding solutions and understanding of the complex integrated processes of planning, stakeholder engagement, governance, designing and building. Their work has received many awards.

Dunn & Hillam’s Ashley Dunn and Jonathon Temple first visited Lightning Ridge in 2011, to run a University of New South Wales third year architecture design studio for more than 70 students. They became an integral part of the AOC architectural team in 2019.

Glenn Murcutt AOM
Glenn Murcutt AOM is a world renowned Australian architect who has received many international awards and accolades including 1992 Alvar Aalto Medal, the 2002 Pritzker Architecture Prize, the 2009 AIA Gold Medal and the 2021 Praemium Imperiale architecture laureate.

Among Glenn's major works are the Marie Short House (1975), Magney House (1982), the Arthur Yvonne Boyd Education Centre (1999) in association with Wendy Lewin and Reg Lark, the Bowral House (2001), Australian Islamic, Centre at Newport, Victoria (2016) and MPavillion, Melbourne (2019). He has taught at a number of schools around the world since 1970.

Message from Glenn Murcutt AOM and Wendy Lewin
“This is a bold and exciting project for all of us. We have worked with the remarkable community in Lightning Ridge for over 13 years and now, to be able to realise the new Australian Opal Centre in this iconic Australian landscape is just wonderful.

“Our ambition, and that of our clients and their community, is for this to be an exemplar of site appropriate, autonomous architecture. We believe it will be unique and culturally significant, globally.”