Australia House Reconstruction Project
The Australia House Reconstruction Project was launched soon after the collapse of the original Australia House in a powerful aftershock on 12 March 2011. It was the result of many people's determination to continue the close relationship between Australia and the Echigo-Tsumari region.
A scenic site in Urada, Tokamachi City, Niigata prefecture, was chosen as the site for the new Australia House. Based on the concept of 'reasonable, robust and small' hazard-resistant construction, an international competition for the building's design was launched in September 2011. A design proposal by Sydney architect Andrew Burns was chosen as the winner.
Australia House is a base for bilateral exchange between Japan and Australia. Its design includes galleries and residential space for Australian artists to stay, work and exhibit, and allows collaborative projects between Japanese and Australians. The design takes into consideration environmental sustainability and natural disaster-prevention and reflects a merging of Japanese and Australian culture.
Australia House opened in July 2012 for the 5th Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale.
This project was supported by the Tokamachi City Government, International Culture Appreciation and Interchange Society, Inc., the Australia-Japan Foundation and the Australian Embassy Tokyo.