Australia’s New South Wales (NSW) Minister for the Arts has announced the six design teams shortlisted for the landmark new Powerhouse Precinct at Parramatta competition in Sydney.

The Powerhouse Precinct is the largest cultural infrastructure project currently being undertaken in Australia. It will transform and renew one of Australia’s oldest and most important cultural institutions, setting an international benchmark in cultural precinct design.

The competition – focused on a 24-hour museum that will showcase the internationally-significant Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences (MAAS) collection and support a dynamic program of changing exhibitions – welcomed both Australian and international design teams. It actively encouraged creative and intellectual collaborations between established and emerging talent.

Teams include collaborations between emerging and established practices and Australian and international talent. 74 teams (including 529 individual firms) entered the open two-stage competition.

View across the river towards site (facing east). Image © MRC / Dianna Snape

The finalist international-Australian and Australian teams are (in alphabetical order):

• AL_A (UK) and Architectus (Australia)
• Bernardes Architecture (Brazil) and Scale Architecture (Australia)
• BVN Architecture (Australia) and Carlo Ratti Associati (Italy)
• CHROFI (Australia) with Reko Rennie (Australia)
• Moreau Kusunoki (France) and Genton (Australia)
• Steven Holl Architects (United States) and Conrad Gargett (Australia)

Aerial view of Parramatta. Image © Salty Dingo

"Having attracted 74 expressions of interest involving a staggering 529 individual firms from 20 countries, the level of global interest we received has more than justified our excitement in moving forward with this Western Sydney project.

"I am particularly thrilled to see our finalist teams include Australian lead firms, collaborations between emerging and seasoned practices and between Australian and international talent who have been inspired by the opportunity this bold and exciting project offers."

"This major investment by the NSW Government will enrich the cultural lives of people in Western Sydney, boost the local economy, create jobs and draw visitors from Australia and world-wide."

The six finalists will now attend a site visit in June 2019 and will have three months to develop their concept designs, which will be shown to the public in a physical exhibition and online gallery before the international jury meets.

The finalists were selected by a Shortlisting Panel led by Jury Chair, Naomi Milgrom AO and including competition jury members Kim Crestani, City Architect, City of Parramatta Council; David Gianotten, Managing Partner – Architect, OMA; Lisa Havilah, Chief Executive, MAAS; Wendy Lewin FRAIA, Principal, Wendy Lewin Architect; and David Riches, Head of Projects, Infrastructure NSW. No design was sought at the competition’s first stage – competitors made submissions based on an outline response to the project brief, past experience and team composition.

View of the site from the north bank of the Parramatta River (facing south). Image © MRC / Dianna Snape

The Powerhouse museum, the centerpiece of a new arts and cultural precinct, will house Australia’s largest and most advanced planetarium with ultra-high-resolution 3D video and multi-channel immersive audio.

Each finalist team will receive an honorarium of AUD $150,000. The competition process has been endorsed by the Australian Institute of Architects (AIA). The winner announcement is expected in late 2019. 

The competition is being organised by independent specialists Malcolm Reading Consultants (MRC).

Top image (from left to right): AL_A ans Architectus, Team Bernardes Architecture and Scale Architecture, Team BVN Architecture and Carlo Ratti Associati, Team CHROFI with Reko Rennie, Team Moreau Kusunoki and Genton, Team Steven Holl Architects and Conrad Gargett. Image courtesy of MRC

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