In 1988, Transfield built the Philip Cox-designed Australian Pavilion at the Biennale of Venice, following Franco's successful lobbying the Italian authorities to allow the construction of an Australian venue in that city's Napoleonic Gardens. Federal Industrial Relations Minister Ralph Willis officially opened the $1.5 million pavilion, exhibiting works by painter Arthur Boyd, on 24 June 1988.
Another major initiative took place in 1992, when Transfield, through its associate company Sabemo, undertook the $1.45 million refurbishment of the former Navy's Gunnery School building at Woolloomooloo, Sydney, to provide accommodation for arts organizations, artists and the establishment of a gallery. The NSW Government contributed $400,000 and the lease of the adjacent block of land to Transfield, which funded the remaining cost.
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