The Australian branch of Rem Koolhaas’s Office for Metropolitan Architecture OMA, and Australian Design practice Hassell, have been chosen to design the New Museum for Western Australia in Perth, one of the country’s most ambitious museum projects to date.Located in the Perth Cultural Center, the museum will cover almost 7,000 square meters of galleries, with 1,000 square meters reserved for big exhibitions, plus education studios, viewing areas, retail and catering outlets. The AUD428.3 million (about $330 million) project budget includes the construction and design of the new part as well as restoration of the existing heritage buildings, which will be linked together.OMA’s and Hassell’s winning design sees a semi-transparent white cube seemingly hovering over the old building, further defined by a band of gold that accentuates the visitor’s movement routes on the outside. “Conceived as a collection of physical and virtual stories, the design provides a multidimensional framework for visitors to engage with the Western Australian people and places, “ Hassell explained in a statement. “HASSELL + OMA want it to create a civic place for everyone, an interesting mix of heritage and contemporary architecture that helps revitalize the Perth Cultural Centre while celebrating the culture of Western Australia on the world stage.” The new ensemble will also boast a state-of-the art combined solar power and water heat-exchange systems to save energy in the entire Cultural Center. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2017, with the inauguration planned for 2020.See more views of OMA’s and Hassell’s New Museum for Western Australia in the slide show. Read more