Reimagining a Classic: Benches for the National Gallery of Australia

April 2026

We recently completed eleven new outdoor benches for the National Gallery of Australia (NGA), designed to closely match the original benches designed by Roger Vidler. The benches draw on a broader design legacy established in 1981 by Harry Howard with Barbara Buchanan and Roger Vidler.

Forest Red Gum recycled timber benches based on the original design by Roger Vidler.

Staying True to the Original Design

The NGA was committed to maintaining the integrity of the original bench designs, which specified timber lengths of up to 4.5 metres. Sourcing the large section sizes and long lengths in recycled timber was going to be difficult, so some careful design adjustments were required.

Working closely with the NGA design team, we adapted the construction to incorporate slightly smaller section sizes, while preserving the visual intent of the original benches. Access to existing CAD drawings allowed us to efficiently refine and approve these modifications, avoiding the need to recreate the designs from scratch.

One of eleven new outdoor benches at the National Gallery of Australia.

The Challenge of Sourcing Jarrah

The original specification called for Jarrah, a durable Australian hardwood traditionally used in structural applications across Western Australia. However, on the East Coast, recycled Jarrah is far less common, typically appearing only in smaller sections such as flooring.

With commercial logging of new Jarrah banned by the WA Government in 2024, sourcing sufficient quantities now relies entirely on salvaged material. Unfortunately, we did not have access to enough recycled Jarrah to use it to complete the project.

Exploring Alternative Timbers

The first alternative we explored was Ironbark, a dense and durable hardwood well suited to external applications such as decking, cladding, and outdoor furniture. While Ironbark performs exceptionally well in exposed environments, its straight grain can raise over time when exposed to moisture, potentially leading to a splintery surface, something the NGA wanted to avoid for public seating.

The Final Selection: Forest Red Gum

Ultimately, we selected Forest Red Gum for the bench seats. Its interlocking grain structure reduces the likelihood of splintering, while still offering the durability required for a high-traffic outdoor setting.

The result is a series of benches that remain faithful to the spirit of the original design, while meeting the practical demands of material availability and long-term performance.

Take a Seat

Next time you’re visiting the National Gallery of Australia, take a moment to pause and take a seat on one of the new benches.

At Thor’s Hammer, we design and manufacture furniture pieces for homes and gardens as well as commercial outdoor seating. If you’re interested in discussing a project, our design and sales team would be happy to chat.