Five Australian architectural design teams have been shortlisted for the Powerhouse Ultimo design competition to determine who will get to take part in the museum’s $500-million renewal project.
The Powerhouse Ultimo renewal project aims to turn the museum into a cultural destination to showcase excellence in art, design, science, and technology.
The design teams named in the announcement are the following:
- Architectus, Durbach Block Jaggers Architects, Tyrrell Studio, Youssofzay + Hart, Akira Isogawa and Yerrabingin submitting under the working title SPARK.
- BVN and Oculus with OCP Architects, TTW, Eckersley O’Callaghan, Transsolar Klima Engineering.
- Cox Architecture, Neeson Murcutt Neille, Other Architects, Hector Abrahams Architects, Sue Barnsley Design and Arup.
- John Wardle Architects, Billy Maynard, ASPECT Studios, Bangawarra, Eckersley O’Callaghan, Atelier Ten and Urbis.
- Tonkin Zulaikha Greer Architects, JMD Design, TCL, Sibling Architecture, Freeman Ryan Design, Atelier Ten.
The NSW Government will invest $480 to $500 million to revitalise Powerhouse Ultimo which will see the museum deliver applied arts and sciences programming that will focus on design and fashion and present exhibitions that will showcase the Powerhouse collection and international exclusive exhibitions as well as programs that support the creative industries.
The participating designers will develop a concept for the planned Powerhouse renewal and present them to the jury who will announce the chosen concept later this year.
“The renewal of Powerhouse Ultimo is a momentous project for NSW that will deliver new and expanded spaces to present exhibitions to showcase the Powerhouse’s significant collection, international exhibitions programs, and dedicated fashion and design galleries,” Minister for the Arts Ben Franklin said.
“This is a unique opportunity for one of the shortlisted design teams to leave a lasting impression on our city and reinforce Sydney’s reputation as a global cultural destination” he added.
“The Powerhouse is thrilled these five innovative Australian design teams have been selected to develop a concept for the renewal of the Powerhouse,” Powerhouse Chief Executive Lisa Havilah said
“We look forward to seeing bold and ambitious ideas that will place the museum at the very forefront of contemporary museum practice for the benefit of our communities.”
The Powerhouse Ultimo Renewal Design Competition is being managed by City Lab on behalf of Create NSW, Powerhouse and Infrastructure NSW. A jury of architecture and cultural industry experts chaired by Wendy Lewin LFRAIA, Commissioner, NSW Independent Planning Commission and Principal, Wendy Lewin Architects will determine the winning design concept.
More information about the Design Competition and the shortlisted design teams can be found here.