Revitalising Ultimo

The NSW Government’s $250 million investment in a heritage renewal of Powerhouse Ultimo will reorient the museum’s main entrance and create a new public square and entry via The Goods Line to enable better connection with surrounding precincts and public transport.

Visitors will benefit from improved exhibition and programming spaces which will allow the museum to accommodate international exhibitions and increase the community’s access to the renowned Powerhouse Collection of more than 500,000 objects.

The visitor experience will be improved through easier visitor circulation, expanded programming, and increase its use for the community.

Key features of the Powerhouse Museum Ultimo design include:

• Four flexible, dynamic exhibition spaces that allow the museum to create and present high quality, internationally leading museum exhibitions across the applied arts and applied sciences and featuring the Powerhouse Collection.
• New public domain spaces including a 2000 sqm at the northern end of The Goods Line, the Post Office Courtyard on Harris Street and an internal courtyard accessible from Macarthur Street.
• Establishing one central, intuitive and accessible visitor circulation system to access exhibition, program and education spaces to support a high-quality visitor experience.
• Reorienting the museum’s entrance to the Goods Line, improving access from the light rail and Darling Square. A newly activated façade housing creative industries along Harris Street, which will improve the museum’s contribution to the Ultimo streetscape.
• Separating front-of-house and back-of-house operations from exhibition and circulation spaces.
• Dedicated spaces designed for Powerhouse learning programs, enabling the museum to create immersive educational experiences, workshops and programs catered to students and learners of all ages.
• Conservation of the heritage-listed original Power Station buildings for their ongoing adaptive reuse by Powerhouse.

The NSW Government will carefully consider all submissions on the revitalised designs to ensure the community’s voice is actively incorporated into the future of Powerhouse Ultimo.

Five formal consultation periods for the project have been held between 2020 and 2024, with the sixth underway. Each has included engagement with the local community, neighbours, stakeholders, government authorities and agencies. The feedback received has been considered during the evolution of the project. Engagement with the community will continue during upcoming phases of the project, including detailed design, construction and operation. All feedback has been used to help inform the current EIS, as part of the SSDA.

Architectus, Durbach Block Jaggers Architects, Tyrrell Studio, Youssofzay + Hart, Akira Isogawa, Yerrabingin, Finding Infinity and Arup

Durbach Block Jaggers Architects are proven design innovators and authors of some of our country’s most remarkable buildings. Architectus brings the best experience and attitude together to design and deliver Australia’s most complex precincts and cultural projects. Tyrrell Studio guides an urban design and landscape architectural response informed by the precinct and by place. Emerging Sydney practice Youssofzay + Hart use their philosophy of creating equitable, accessible and enjoyable spaces for all. Renowned Australian fashion designer Akira Isogawa is our provocateur and collaborator. Yerrabingin is coach, advisor and collaborator, embedding our approach to Design With Country. Finding Infinity pushes the sustainability agenda to achieve world-leading results. Arup’s venues team provide specialist arts and culture design expertise and experience.

This design is an exemplar of adaptive heritage reuse which will deliver new and expanded spaces enabling Powerhouse Ultimo to present more exhibitions showcasing the museum’s significant collection, as well as more international exclusive exhibitions and programs that support the applied sciences, applied arts and creative industries.

To learn more about our major giving program contact philanthropy@powerhouse.com.au