Opened less than three months ago in the centre of Melbourne, the Australian gallery of Ian Potter has fast become one of the most visited museums. Announcing this, with great satisfaction, was the director of the National Gallery of the State of Victoria, Gerard Vaughan who talks of 750 thousand visitors overall – 8 thousand people a day.

An impressive number, especially if compared with its European counterparts, such as the Pompidou and Musée d’Orsay who boast only 4 thousand visitors a day. It is also a figure way beyond expectations. The nearby Centre for the Moving Image fairs just as well (554 thousand visitors in three months) whilst the Australian War Memorial and the National Gallery of the State of Victoria both receive more than a million visitors a year.

So what do these institutions have in common? The answer to that is Federation Square, 3,6 hectares redesigned by London practice Lab Architecture. This, as well as providing a novelty effect, has become a real magnet for visitors.

Related articles: A new heart for Melbourne (Features, from Domus 856 February 2003)