MOCA

Today, the Museum of Chinese in Australia (MOCA) opens to the city.

This is a milestone.

It marks the formal establishment of Chinese-Australian cultural heritage within Sydney’s civic landscape.

MOCA is not merely the completion of a building. It is the creation of a cultural platform — one that carries memory while projecting confidently into the future. It is both a community celebration and the beginning of a new civic chapter.

As architects, we were engaged from inception through to delivery. The dialogue between built form and city, the orchestration of movement, the disciplined articulation of light and material — every decision was made to ensure the architecture functions as cultural infrastructure.

Opening in the Year of the Horse — a symbol of momentum and forward motion — the occasion carries particular resonance. Together with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Minister Tanya Plibersek and Lord Mayor Clover Moore, we mark a defining moment.

This is not simply a building. It is a beginning.

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The Museum of Chinese in Australia (MOCA) project will transform an existing heritage library into a vibrant museum, celebrating the contributions of Chinese-born Australians. This refurbishment honors the past, unites people in the present, and inspires future generations. MOCA’s design centers on the themes of past, present, and future, seamlessly integrated across the museum’s three levels.

The space will celebrate historical achievements and stories while fostering a sense of community today. By creating an environment that encourages reflection and inspiration, MOCA will motivate visitors to contribute positively to the future.

The refurbishment will celebrate diversity by highlighting the shared values and contributions of Chinese-born Australians, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of cultural diversity. MOCA will serve as a bridge, connecting various generations of the Chinese community in Australia, from newly arrived individuals to those who have been here for generations.

MOCA embodies a vision that transcends ethnic labels, focusing instead on the collective contributions of diverse communities. It provides a platform for stories that highlight common goals and shared experiences, emphasizing unity over division.

HAYMARKET, SYDNEY

FEATURED PROJECTS

PROJECT INFO

CHINESE NEW YEAR EVENT

A window into 5,000 years of culture.

Inspired by classical dynasty scrolls, each artwork frames architecture, ritual, and everyday life in one composed scene—where mountains, streets, and lantern light carry the memory of generations into the present.

LEVEL 3, 9 BARRACK ST, SYDNEY NSW 2000
Nominated Architect | KAICHI LEUNG | NSW 7133 | QLD 4478
|VIC 800401 | DEP0001097