The Powerhouse acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the ancestral homelands upon which our museums are situated. We respect their Elders, past, present and future and recognise their continuous connection to Country.
The winners of two significant Powerhouse design initiatives, the Holdmark Innovation Award and the Carl Nielsen Design Accelerator were announced last night, Friday 13 September, at the opening event for Sydney Design Week 2024. The $10,000 Holdmark Innovation Award was awarded to Melbourne-based design practice Kennedy Nolan and environmental consultancy Finding Infinity for the Wilam Ngarrang Retrofit project, with designer Caity Duffus awarded the recipient of the Carl Nielsen Design Accelerator program for her project Mycelia House.
The annual Holdmark Innovation Award presented by Powerhouse and Sydney Design Week Principal Partner recognises outstanding design in the Australian built environment. The applicants are reviewed by a committee of industry experts with this year’s selection panel including (Professor of Practice in the School of Architecture at UTS and Director of TERROIR), (Powerhouse Senior Curator and Creative Director Sydney Design Week) and (Chief Operating Officer, Holdmark Property Group).
Holdmark Property Group
Gerard Reinmuth
Keinton Butler
Kevin Nassif
The Wilam Ngarrang Retrofit project by Kennedy Nolan with Finding Infinity was selected for its delivery of an energy-efficient space with both social and sustainability agendas at its core. The Retrofit addresses the challenges of waste in the construction industry through innovative ways of reusing or recycling materials and provides efficiency initiatives like rooftop rainwater collection and solar panel installation that reduce the building’s energy use by 70%. Its partnership with social enterprise HomeGround allows two apartments to be rented out below the market rate, assisting those who are struggling to enter the rental market.
Commendations for the Holdmark Innovation Award were presented to ARM Architecture for the Blacktown Exercise Sports and Technology Hub (BEST) and Grimshaw, ABA and the City of Parramatta Council for the Parramatta Aquatic Centre. Both projects highlighted collaboration between government and community stakeholders and addressed the social needs of communities based in Blacktown and Parramatta.
Kevin Nassif, Chief Operating Officer, Holdmark Property Group said, ‘I am impressed by the calibre of entries received for this year’s Holdmark Innovation Award, which reflects the thoughtful consideration and care infused within designs produced by some of Australia’sbrightest architects and designers.
The Wilam Ngarrang Retrofit project was selected for its solution to the ageing 60’s and 70’s red brick apartment buildings that scatter Australia’s urban landscape. It is a very clever, energyefficient space with both social and sustainability solutions for giving these buildings a new life and providing critical and effective solutions given the current housing and affordability crisis facing the nation.
We are thrilled to continue supporting initiatives like Sydney Design Week, which encourages new ideas and solutions for new challenges experienced in our changing world.’
The Carl Nielsen Design Accelerator is supported by a generous bequest from the celebrated Australian industrial designer Carl Nielsen and his wife Judy Nielsen and recognises outstanding industrial design for sustainability.
Caity Duffus will receive a nine-month program of support, including mentorship from industry leader, industrial designer Ed Ko and financial support toward the production and distribution of her project, Mycelia House, a functional container that captures the beauty of mushrooms and supports their growth within the home.
The 2024 Carl Nielsen Design Accelerator selection panel included Powerhouse Curator Angelique Hutchison, Nielsen Design Associates Director Adam Laws and Industrial Designer and Founder of IDX SYD Ed Ko. Sydney-based Ko will advise and work with the recipient to create a bespoke program tailored to the project.
Nielsen Design Associates Director Adam Laws said, ‘Caity’s design is an elegant and creative solution that demonstrates commercial use of sustainable materials and technology. The form of Mycelia House is in perfect harmony with growing of mushrooms and is a visual sculpture in its own right.’
Industrial Designer and Founder of IDX SYD Ed Ko said, ‘Caity’s Mycelia House is a wonderful demonstration of what Industrial design can also be. It speaks at the Intersections of design, sustainability, materiality and beauty. I am beyond excited at the opportunity to help bring Caity’s vision and design to the next level and push the boundaries of what is possible with an industrial design outlook.’
Powerhouse Chief Executive Lisa Havilah said, ‘Powerhouse is proud of its commitment to support the development of sustainable and ethical Australian design practices. Congratulations to the winners of this year’s Holdmark Innovation Award and the Carl Nielsen Design Accelerator, who have captured the impact of socially responsible design practices on our communities. Their ethos mirrors the focus of this year’s Sydney Design Week and highlights design’s role in reimagining more inclusive futures.’
Titled In Between Worlds, the 28th Sydney Design Week invites audiences to reimagine inclusive cities and spaces for alternative futures through free and ticketed events across the city from Friday 13 to Thursday 19 September.
Sydney Design Week 2024 brings together visionary designers, architects and artists from across the world. This year’s headline keynote presenters include international architecture practice Office for Metropolitan Architecture (OMA)’s managing partner – architect David Gianotten, architect and artistic director of the Islamic Arts Biennale Sumayya Vally, Academy Award-winning production designer Colin Gibson, international space architect Melodie Yashar, MAIO co-founder and architect Professor Anna Puigjaner and Moroccan-British artist Hassan Hajjaj.
Programmed by Creative Director Keinton Butler, Senior Curator at Powerhouse, in collaboration with Amaia Sánchez-Velasco from GRANDEZA STUDIO, Sydney Design Week 2024 is presented with the support of the NSW Government, Principal Partner Holdmark Property Group, Foundational University Partners University of Technology Sydney and Western Sydney University, Festival Partner City of Parramatta and Accommodation Partner Ace Hotel Sydney.
Beyond Architecture David Gianotten of Office for Metropolitan Architecture shares insights into OMA’s groundbreaking community-led projects and signals the changing role of the architect. Friday 13 September 2024 6–7pm University of Technology Sydney Free, registration
Building Worlds The Australian Production Design Guild takes us ‘In Between Worlds’ in a design day filled with workshops, behind the scenes tours and insights into the magic of production design. Saturday 14 September 2024 10am–4pm Powerhouse Castle Hill Free, registration
Recipes as Archives Join architect Sumayya Vally and chef Karima Hazim for a very special Sunday breakfast featuring traditional Lebanese recipes, that celebrate family, food and culture. Sunday 15 September 2024 Baba Ghanouj Parramatta 10–11am Tickets $15
Places of Belonging Artistic director of the inaugural Islamic Arts Biennale Sumayya Vally and poet and co-founder of Bankstown Poetry Slam Sara Mansour discuss how places can be designed to bring communities together. Sunday 15 September 2024 2–3pm University of Technology Sydney Free, registration
Future Prototypes Academy Award winning production designer Colin Gibson discusses how he imagines real world prototypes for the future with Powerhouse Senior Curator, Keinton Butler. Monday 16 September 2024 6–7pm University of Technology Sydney Free, registration
Space Architectures International space architect, technologist and researcher Melodie Yashar shares her perspective on the ethics of space settlement and designing resilient homes for off-world living, followed by an in-conversation with architect and proud Palawa and Ngāti Wai woman, Marni Reti. Tuesday 17 September 2024 6–7pm Parramatta Town Hall Free, registration
Sydney Design Week Urban Kitchen Chef and curator Xinyi Lim and architect Anna Puigjaner prepare local ingredients to tell global food stories in a temporary, ready-made kitchen in Parramatta Square. Wednesday 18 September 2024 11.30am–1.30pm Parramatta Square Free
Collective Care Professor Anna Puigjaner, co-founder of Barcelona based architecture studio MAIO will share her approach to creating new architectural models for the practice of collective living and care that is re-imagining how we live. Wednesday 18 September 2024 6–7pm Parramatta Town Hall Free, registration
Maximalist Identities Artist Hassan Hajjaj will discuss his maximalist approach to photographic practice with R/GA’s associate creative director Jane Duru. Thursday 19 September 2024 6–7pm Parramatta Town Hall Free, registration
Powerhouse sits at the intersection of arts, design, science and technology and plays a critical role in engaging communities with contemporary ideas and issues. We are undertaking a landmark $1.2 billion infrastructure renewal program, spearheaded by the creation of the new museum, Powerhouse Parramatta; expanded research and public facilities at Powerhouse Castle Hill; the renewal of the iconic Powerhouse Ultimo; and the ongoing operation of Sydney Observatory. The museum is custodian to over half a million objects of national and international significance and is considered one of the finest and most diverse collections in Australia. We are also undertaking an expansive digitisation project that will provide new levels of access to the Powerhouse Collection.
About Holdmark
Holdmark is a privately-owned property development and investment group that has transformed many of Sydney’s urban landscapes to quality living, working and retail environments. For more than 30 years, it has designed, developed, built and managed highly regarded mixed-use precincts creating true urban communities.
About University of Technology Sydney
UTS is a leading university of technology located in the heart of Sydney’s innovation precinct. With more than 40,000 students, UTS has a distinct model of learning, strong research performance and a leading reputation for industry and professional engagement. Underpinned by social impact and a continuing commitment to sustainability, UTS is rated the No.1 ‘young’ university in Australia in the QS and Times Higher Education rankings.
About Western Sydney University
Western Sydney University (WSU) prides itself on challenging the traditional notion of what a university should be. We put students at the heart of everything we do. Embedded in the communities and region we serve, our University is fundamental to the economic, cultural and social life of Western Sydney – one of the fastest-growing, most economically important and most culturally-diverse regions within Australia. We have a network of sites and teaching campuses across Western Sydney and beyond. Western Sydney University has 50,000 students, 3,000 staff, and a strong cohort – both locally and globally – of more than 200,000 alumni. The University has a long and proud history of increasing higher education participation and opening up educational opportunities to students who have the drive, ambition and dedication to succeed, particularly for individuals from diverse and lower socio-economic backgrounds. At the forefront of education innovation, our programs are designed to help address Australia’s current and future workforce needs, with our expanding short courses and microcredential offerings helping people rapidly upskill or reskill in their careers and stay competitive in a fast-changing workplace. The University has been named number one in the world for its social, ecological and economic impact in the 2023 Times Higher Education (THE) University Impact Rankings for the second year in a row. We are globally focused, research led and committed to making a positive impact on the communities we engage with.
2024 Powerhouse Design Award Recipients Announced | Powerhouse
