E2 was commissioned to design the concept and provide a feasibility study for the new Gold Pavilion, a gateway building to Sovereign Hill and its outdoor museum, creating an enriched visitor orientation and experience. The Gold pavilion design includes a foyer, concierge and ticketing area, school and tour group landing zone, temporary exhibition space, and the Gold Vault, a permanent exhibition celebrating the enduring fascination with gold.

The Gold Vault invites visitors to immerse themselves in the allure of gold that drew people from around the world to the Ballarat goldfields. Showcasing Sovereign Hill’s golden treasures alongside rare loans from state collections and international museums, the exhibition blends dazzling displays, immersive digital technologies, and dynamic lighting to evoke the excitement, ambition, and “gold-fever” of the gold rush era. Through this emotive, sensory experience, visitors encounter both the historical and timeless allure of gold, connecting with its cultural, economic, and symbolic significance.