Six design teams have been shortlisted for the Powerhouse Precinct in western Sydney, billed as Australia’s largest cultural infrastructure project.
The six shortlisted teams are:
- 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 (US) and Conrad Gargett (Australia)
Each team will receive US$105,420 towards the cost of bidding.
The Powerhouse Precinct is expected to cost $279m and includes 18,000 sq m of purpose-built exhibition spaces, a 24-hour Powerhouse museum, which will showcase a collection from the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences, and a pedestrian bridge. The site is in Parramatta, about 20km northwest of central Sydney.
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Don Harwin, New South Wales’ minister for the arts, said: "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 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 talents who have been inspired by the opportunity this bold and exciting project offers."
The six finalists will visit the site in June and develop a concept design by September. These will be displayed to the public online and in a physical exhibition before a winner is selected by an international jury.
Image: Close to the Powerhouse Precinct site (Malcolm Reading)
