A methodology Indigenous to renovation of Powerhouse Ultimo in Sydney
14/12/2022.
[Sydney] Australia
metalocus, ANDRÉS BLANCO
metalocus, ANDRÉS BLANCO
The contemporary museum in Sydney, Australia, Powerhouse Ultimo, announced the winning proposal to revamp its former galleries, a team by Australian studios Architectus, Durbach Block Jaggers, Tyrrell Studio, Youssofzay + Hart, Akira Isogawa, Yerrabingin, Finding Infinity, and Arup, from more than 100 entries.
Founded in 1979, Powerhouse Ultimo is a contemporary museum located in Sydney's inner-city suburb of Ultimo.
The winning team will reinvigorate one of Australia's most revered museums to offer experiences under international museum standards and expanded spaces to provide new levels of access to the Powerhouse collection, redesigning the contemporary museum and seeing its exhibition spaces, including immersive, and learning areas expanded.
Founded in 1979, Powerhouse Ultimo is a contemporary museum located in Sydney's inner-city suburb of Ultimo.
The winning team will reinvigorate one of Australia's most revered museums to offer experiences under international museum standards and expanded spaces to provide new levels of access to the Powerhouse collection, redesigning the contemporary museum and seeing its exhibition spaces, including immersive, and learning areas expanded.
Powerhouse Ultimo renewal concept design. Image by Supplied. Courtesy of Powerhouse Ultimo.
Powerhouse Ultimo renewal concept design. Image by Supplied. Courtesy of Powerhouse Ultimo.
Powerhouse Ultimo renewal concept design. Image by Supplied. Courtesy of Powerhouse Ultimo.
Powerhouse Ultimo renewal concept design. Image by Supplied. Courtesy of Powerhouse Ultimo.
Powerhouse Ultimo renewal concept design. Image by Supplied. Courtesy of Powerhouse Ultimo.
Powerhouse Ultimo renewal concept design. Image by Supplied. Courtesy of Powerhouse Ultimo.
Powerhouse Ultimo renewal concept design. Image by Supplied. Courtesy of Powerhouse Ultimo.
Standing left to right: Alex Gelego, Durbach Block Jaggers; Dr Stephen Long, Architectus; David Jaggers, Durbach Block Jaggers; Neil Durbach, Durbach Block Jaggers Luke Johnson, Architectus; Ross Harding, Finding Infinity; John Jeffrey, Architectus; Chris Mercer, Arup. Seated left to right: Ruth Wilson, Architectus; Christian Hampson, Yerrabingin; Akira Isogawa; Mark Tyrrell, Tyrrell Studio; Camilla Block, Durbach Block Jaggers; Anne Kristin Risnes, Durbach Block Jaggers; Belqis Youssofzay, Youssofzay + Hart. Photo by Hugh Stewart
The new urban area that connects the museum to The Goods Line will create a new public square for Sydney, increasing open public space supporting outdoor programs. The Harris Street frontage will be revitalized with creative studios supporting education and industry programs and creating new opportunities to access the museum's library and archive.
According to the team, a team led by Architectus, Durbach Block Jaggers, Tyrrell Studio, Youssofzay + Hart, Akira Isogawa, Yerrabingin, Finding Infinity, and Arup, the building references the local sandstone escarpment, and based on the aboriginal Country Centred Design concept, the proposal is, in essence, an acknowledgement of the site's heritage.
Powerhouse Ultimo renewal concept design. Image by Supplied. Courtesy of Powerhouse Ultimo.
Powerhouse Ultimo renewal concept design. Image by Supplied. Courtesy of Powerhouse Ultimo.
The scheme follows the design methodology of Indigenous peoples in Australia, which inherently includes the relationships between the various elements of Country, community, non-humans, and people to understand the connections and kinships between all that share space.
Visualizations of the project structure show it with an open, porous ground-level plan singled out by a series of angular columns. On this glazed floor, the visualizations show the rest of the upper floors with a brick envelope adorned by windows with different geometric shapes.
The Powerhouse Ultimo competition is part of the significant investment that the New South Wales government has made in cultural infrastructure, to strengthen the city of Sydney as a global and cultural destination. As such, Sydney Modern held its long-awaited inauguration a few days ago, as did the Sydney Opera House renovation that reopened its doors last September. Expected to kick off in 2023, the 13.500 square meters of public spaces will extend along the over 240 meters of water frontage within Sydney's iconic Darling Harbor area.
According to the team, a team led by Architectus, Durbach Block Jaggers, Tyrrell Studio, Youssofzay + Hart, Akira Isogawa, Yerrabingin, Finding Infinity, and Arup, the building references the local sandstone escarpment, and based on the aboriginal Country Centred Design concept, the proposal is, in essence, an acknowledgement of the site's heritage.
Powerhouse Ultimo renewal concept design. Image by Supplied. Courtesy of Powerhouse Ultimo.
Powerhouse Ultimo renewal concept design. Image by Supplied. Courtesy of Powerhouse Ultimo.
The scheme follows the design methodology of Indigenous peoples in Australia, which inherently includes the relationships between the various elements of Country, community, non-humans, and people to understand the connections and kinships between all that share space.
Visualizations of the project structure show it with an open, porous ground-level plan singled out by a series of angular columns. On this glazed floor, the visualizations show the rest of the upper floors with a brick envelope adorned by windows with different geometric shapes.
The Powerhouse Ultimo competition is part of the significant investment that the New South Wales government has made in cultural infrastructure, to strengthen the city of Sydney as a global and cultural destination. As such, Sydney Modern held its long-awaited inauguration a few days ago, as did the Sydney Opera House renovation that reopened its doors last September. Expected to kick off in 2023, the 13.500 square meters of public spaces will extend along the over 240 meters of water frontage within Sydney's iconic Darling Harbor area.
More information
Architects
Architectusau, Durbach Block Jaggers Architects, Tyrrell Studio and Youssofzay + Hart, working with Akira Isogawa, Yerrabingin, Finding Infinity and Arup.
Client
Create NSW.
Dates
Competition.- 2022.
Venue / Localitation
500 Harris St, Ultimo NSW 2007, Sydney, NSW. Australia.
Ray Brown, Colin Odbert, Ruth Wilson... Architectus
Architectus is an award-winning Australian architecture and design studio specialising in arts and culture, community, commercial, education, interiors, residential, transport, urban design and planning. Their insightful and humancentric design approach is combined with a collaborative ethos to create unique places that are exemplars of elegance, function and sustainability. They operate as a single studio with creative teams based in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth and have designed and delivered some of Australia’s most complex and important cultural buildings.
Neil Durbach, Camilla Block, David Jaggers. Durbach Block Jaggers Architects
Durbach Block Jaggers Architects. Neil Durbach, Camilla Block and David Jaggers are the directors of Durbach Block Jaggers Architects, since twenty five years. With a permanent team of twelve, DBJ has experience in projects that have complex client groups and needs.
We aim for an architecture that is both confident and courteous. Environmentally sustainable design principles permeate the logic of durable design in siting, landscaping, management of services and detail design. We believe that longevity is more likely in a building that is well loved.
Their work is recognised as both iconic and innovative through publications and awards. Most recently Durbach Block Jaggers were awarded the 2020 NSW Architecture Medallion, the Sir G. Stephenson Award for Commercial Architecture and the John Verge Award for Interior Architecture for the Phoenix Central Park Performance Space and Gallery with John Wardle Architects. DBJ have received the Robin Boyd Award three times for the best residential project in Australia, as well as State and National Architecture Awards across all building types, including public, education, commercial, residential, heritage and urban design.
Neil Durbach and Camilla Block are Adjunct Professors at the University of New South Wales and UTS Sydney respectively. Neil, Camilla and David are Fellows of the Institute of Architects, recognition for their outstanding achievements and contribution to the architecture profession.
We aim for an architecture that is both confident and courteous. Environmentally sustainable design principles permeate the logic of durable design in siting, landscaping, management of services and detail design. We believe that longevity is more likely in a building that is well loved.
Their work is recognised as both iconic and innovative through publications and awards. Most recently Durbach Block Jaggers were awarded the 2020 NSW Architecture Medallion, the Sir G. Stephenson Award for Commercial Architecture and the John Verge Award for Interior Architecture for the Phoenix Central Park Performance Space and Gallery with John Wardle Architects. DBJ have received the Robin Boyd Award three times for the best residential project in Australia, as well as State and National Architecture Awards across all building types, including public, education, commercial, residential, heritage and urban design.
Neil Durbach and Camilla Block are Adjunct Professors at the University of New South Wales and UTS Sydney respectively. Neil, Camilla and David are Fellows of the Institute of Architects, recognition for their outstanding achievements and contribution to the architecture profession.
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