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French studio Moreau Kusunoki and Australian firm Genton have won a design competition for the transformation and relocation of Sydney's Museum of Applied Arts & Sciences to a riverfront site in Parramatta, roughly 24 kilometres from Sydney's central business district. The new Powerhouse Parramatta venue is the largest investment in arts and culture in New South Wales since the Sydney Opera House.
The Powerhouse Parramatta marks the first time a major cultural facility will be located in Western Sydney. The design is conceived as a multi-functional hyper-platform composed of seven flexible spaces suited to host various exhibitions, galleries and immersive experiences.
The unique design features a latticed exoskeleton that invites glimpses from passersby. The external framework becomes more porous as the structure rises, helping to amplify the building's efficiency by reducing its weight and carbon footprint.
"The flexible and dynamic presentation spaces are linked through transparent connecting spaces, which offer a quiet place for reflection, a lively place for interaction, a safe, neutral space for meetings and the creation of new shared memories," said Moreau Kusunoki. "The Powerhouse will transcend scale to exist simultaneously as both intimate and iconic."
Between the presentation spaces and the exoskeleton lies an additional flex space activated by users depending on need. Inspired by the Japanese concept of mâ, the spaces will be dedicated to rest, relaxation and reflection.
The 24-hour precinct will seamlessly connect the museum with the local street network, creating a 'transparent urban lounge' where visitors can interact with nature and Parramatta's social scene.
The winning duo emerged victorious from a field of 73 teams, which included over 500 individual firms. The jury—unanimous in their decision—applauded the proposal's strong identity, generosity of space, transparency and lightness.
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