Architecture firms OMA and Hassell have revealed designs for a major new museum in Perth, Australia, that will slot amongst a series of heritage buildings (+ slideshow).
The New Museum for Western Australia will be nearly four times bigger than the now-closed Western Australian Museum, which it will replace.
The building will provide 7,000 square meters of exhibition space and a huge new public square.

It will be located in the heart of the Perth Cultural Centre, a district that also includes the Art Gallery of Western Australia, the State Library and the Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts.
Dutch firm OMA and Australian practice Hassell collaborated on the design, as part of a team that also includes contractor Brookfield Multiplex.
The proposal is to insert a top-heavy, glazed museum building between the surrounding structures, which date back to the late 19th century and have formerly housed an assortment of museums, galleries and libraries.

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A public square will sit between these restored heritage structures ? known as the Old Gaol, Jubilee, Beaufort and Hackett buildings ? and the new museum, creating a grand entrance and events space.

"Our vision for the design was to create spaces that promote engagement and collaboration, responding to the needs of the museum and the community," explained Hassell principal Mark Loughnan and OMA managing partner David Gianotten...