The Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (TMAG) is set to reopen its doors following a AUS$30m (US$31m, £21m, €24m) redevelopment project.

The new project involved the addition of more than twice TMAG’s present display space, including a dedicated facility for travelling exhibitions that will enable TMAG to host international exhibitions of a standard never before seen in Tasmania.

It also offers expanded public programmes, education programmes and new spaces to showcase more of TMAG’s state collection.

Architectural firm Francis-Jones Morehen Thorp, which was responsible for the design focused on contemporary architecture that is also sympathetic to the heritage and character of the site and the waterfront setting.

Stage one of the redevelopment focused on the restoration and refurbishment of TMAG’s heritage buildings in order to create new and refreshed exhibitions spaces.

A new visitor entrance was also created that highlights the historic Watergate as a central feature of the courtyard space, surrounded by heritage buildings on one side, and a new building housing a cafe and programme-delivery facility on the other.

Visitors will also enjoy a vibrant outdoor civic space where archaeological evidence of Tasmania’s past can be experienced.

Archaeological artefacts that are currently hidden beneath the fringes of TMAG’s historic site will be also be revealed and interpreted to tell a story of Tasmania’s history.

Tasmanian minister for the Arts Lara Giddings said: “This redevelopment is the realisation of the largest government investment in cultural infrastructure in Tasmania’s history.

“Tasmanians have enjoyed their state museum and art gallery for the last 150 years, what visitors will see when they arrive at the new museum paves the way for the next 150 years.”