Powerhouse Parramatta: Green Star

Powerhouse Parramatta is on track to become the first public institution in the nation with a 6 Star Buildings rating from Green Building Council Australia (GBCA).

The construction of the new museum site in partnership with Infrastructure NSW and head contractor Lendlease has already met exceptional performance standards measured by the GBCA’s new rating tool — distinct for its focus on climate resilience, circularity in life cycle and a climate positive roadmap.

A detailed submission by Powerhouse Museum in collaboration with Lendlease was evaluated by the GBCA across eight categories: responsible, healthy, resilient, positive, places, people, nature and leadership.

GBCA noted in its design assessment that Powerhouse Parramatta is well placed to achieve 6 Star certification once construction is complete. The submission gained more than 70 points across all eight categories, including a commitment to zero carbon emissions in operations when the museum opens, making it Australia’s most sustainable cultural institution.

The Green Star Buildings rating system is designed by Green Building Council Australia to help developers and owners measure the long-term sustainability of new buildings and major refurbishments. Projects targeting a 6 Star rating must meet the GBCA’s Climate Positive Pathway, aligned with recommendations from the United Nation’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change to deliver Climate Positive buildings.

Climate Positive buildings are built with lower upfront emissions and lower carbon materials. Their operations must be fossil fuel free and powered by renewables, use highly efficient systems and building design, minimise waste, encourage sustainable transport and create biodiverse green spaces.

While the design of Powerhouse Parramatta began before GBCA developed its new 6 Star Designed Building rating, it was planned from the beginning to be highly energy efficient and use 100% renewable electric energy for net zero emissions. The museum is set to achieve the 6 Star requirements for Green Star Buildings when it welcomes visitors in 2026, ahead of the GBCA’s goal for new buildings and fit outs to have no carbon emissions from their operations by 2030.

Powerhouse Parramatta is the largest cultural infrastructure project in NSW since the Sydney Opera House was completed in 1973, so the strategy to achieve the Responsible Construction credit in Green Star Buildings had to be detailed — and precise.

Steel used for the construction of the building’s visually striking exoskeleton was sourced from overseas because the embodied carbon in the material was lower than the locally available equivalent. Even accounting for emissions during shipping, it was delivered to the site with significantly lower upfront emissions than would otherwise have been possible. And because each section of the exoskeleton arrived prefabricated, assembly waste has been significantly reduced. Overall, 90% of construction and demolition waste at the Parramatta site has been diverted from landfill.

All electricity used on the construction site is 100% renewable energy. Lendlease’s electricity use in all its operations, including construction of the new museum site, has been independently verified as carbon neutral through the government-backed Climate Active certification. Climate Active is the only government accredited carbon neutral certification scheme in Australia.

The exoskeleton is being built using three of the first cranes in Australia powered by 100% renewable diesel. The fuel was sourced through a cross-industry collaboration between Powerhouse project partners the NSW Government, Lendlease, Marr Contracting and Refuelling Solutions, together with builder Multiplex. Greenhouse gas emissions from crane operations at the site will be reduced by up to 90% over the lifecycle of the fuel compared to conventional mineral diesel produced from crude oil.

When it opens in late 2026, Powerhouse Parramatta will be the largest museum in NSW, with more than 18,000 sqm of exhibition and public space. It is designed for net zero operational carbon emissions and will be powered by 100% renewable energy, including onsite renewable electricity generated by a 117kW rooftop solar photovoltaic system.

An early decision not to include gas-fuelled cooktops in the design of the new museum’s kitchens was considered bold when it was first announced in the Powerhouse Climate Action Plan, though very prescient, as awareness of the environmental and health impacts of gas appliances is now a mainstream concern.

Strategies for minimising toxin exposure within the building include ensuring all materials and finishes are low VOC (volatile organic compound) and by using electrolysed water as an effective disinfectant for indoor cleaning.

A waste minimisation strategy across the museum’s operations targets zero waste to landfill, strengthened with policies integrating circularity in resource and material use, and 45% less potable water use compared with a building that is just code compliant.

The design of Powerhouse Parramatta recognises its location near the Parramatta River: its undercroft makes it resilient to climate change risks such as extreme flooding, while the site’s landscaping will support biodiversity across its productive rooftop garden and dedicated conservation areas.

The structure of the new museum also ensures its spaces and amenities are inclusively accessible; and it is well positioned alongside major public transport hubs (heavy and light rail, buses, ferry, future metro) and active transport (cycle paths and walkways) to encourage visitors to use more sustainable modes of travel. Besides, there will be no public parking on site.

Powerhouse is committed to real and lasting relationships between creative, cultural, industry and educational communities at local, national and international levels — and the new museum will lead with exceptional education programs for rural and regional students.

Lang Walker Academy and the Residences are designed as permanent infrastructure within the new museum, offering purpose-built facilities for learning, academic research and creative fellowships. Each year, the Academy will accommodate 10,000 regional, remote, interstate and international students, while the Residences will house up to 30 researchers and practitioners across the applied arts and sciences at any one time for between a few weeks to several months.

The Academy’s STEM education will create social impact by contributing to the National STEM School Education Strategy outcomes and help students identify potential STEM career pathways, while the museum’s public programs will highlight sustainability initiatives in the applied arts and sciences.

The Vitocco Family Kitchen is a great case in point: as well as hosting famous chefs and food educators in its all-electric culinary theatre space, it will explicitly promote fossil fuel free lifestyle choices such as cooking with 100% renewable electricity instead of gas.