Country Always

Caring for Country

A Corner of the Empire

The Garden Palace

The Holding Pen

The Agricultural Hall

Regional Networks

Across New South Wales

A Museum of Doing

Technological Museum

Expanding Stories

Evolution of the Castle Hill site from botanical research station to Museum Discovery Centre

Transforming the Tramsheds

Powerhouse Stage 1 and the Harwood Building

A Symbol in Time

Sydney Observatory

Ongoing Transformations

Powerhouse Ultimo

Applied Arts and Sciences

Defining the terms in the 21st century

Powerhouse Renewal

A transformative renewal program across four sites

Urban Transformation Summer School

Delivered by Western Sydney University X Powerhouse Parramatta

We Rise

Blak Powerhouse

Powerhouse-1 Mission Launch to the ISS

An initiative of the Powerhouse: Future Space program

2024

Exoskeleton

Powerhouse Parramatta

Sydney Design Week

Across Sydney12—24 Sep

2024

Stories

Urban Transformation Summer School

Delivered by Western Sydney University X Powerhouse Parramatta

Supported by Holdmark

WSU Holdmark Summer School. Photo: Jacquie Manning

‘Western Sydney University is proud to partner with Holdmark and Powerhouse Parramatta to deliver this innovative summer school program, which will simultaneously develop students’ design thinking capability and advance practical solutions for issues directly identified by the local Western Sydney community.’

Professor Barney Glover AO, vice-chancellor and president, Western Sydney University.

Urban Transformation Summer School

The Urban Transformation Summer School is an annual multi-disciplinary program for Western Sydney University Master of Architecture students presented in partnership with Holdmark and Powerhouse Parramatta. The school focuses on urban design and transformation with a holistic approach to the built form.

Each year, the school engages a Western Sydney council to develop a real-world design ‘challenge’ for students to solve, using the local urban area as a model. Working in multi-disciplinary groups, students design interventions to improve the spatial, environmental and practical amenity of the selected urban space.

During the program students have direct access to leading industry experts from world renown engineering, architectural, planning, design and advisory firms.

2025

For 2025, the Western Sydney University Urban Transformation Summer School invited students to investigate the intricate and multicultural urban landscape of Bankstown. Masters of Architecture and Industrial Design students were challenged to propose design solutions that enhance social connectivity along the Appian Way, which connects the eastern and western sides of Bankstown. The program culminated in an exhibition and symposium at Bankstown Arts Centre, with student projects presented alongside professional architectural projects that are set to shape Bankstown’s future.

2024

The Urban Transformation Summer School collaborated with Blacktown City Council to develop the program’s design challenge for 2024. The challenge focused on a critical thoroughfare in Mount Druitt: a pedestrian path from Mount Druitt train station to Mount Druitt Hospital. Students were challenged to assess the pedestrian journey and explore how small interventions could be located along the walking route, facilitating opportunities for rest, engagement, environmental protection and communication.

Person in a suit addressing people from behind a podium.

Figure standing at a lectern, presenting on a screen.

An event inside of a room with talk windows.

Figures standing and discussing architectural models.

2023

The inaugural Urban Transformation Summer School engaged the City of Parramatta Council to formulate the program’s design challenge for 2023. Over seven days, students were tasked with addressing the influence of the design for Powerhouse Parramatta on the local area’s urban environment. Industry experts delivered presentations and led discussions around Parramatta’s rich built environment, including the role of art and culture in the city, designing for livability and climate change, and the Parramatta River interface.

‘The Urban Transformation Summer School course was an incredibly immersive experience that exposed me to the various stages of design. It particularly intrigued me to learn in depth the significant role designers and planners play in shaping prominent projects like the Powerhouse that will aid in transforming the Parramatta precinct and greater Central River City into a place celebrated for its rich and diverse community.’

Maryann Aziz, 2023 Urban Transformation Summer School participant

Man presenting at podium with two microphones.

The attendees of Holdmark Summer School 2023.

Two women sitting with microphones in their hand, at a panel.

Profiles of Holdmark Summer School attendees.

Line up of people smiling at the camera, in front of amphitheatre seating.

Three humans talking in a circle, in front of a large paper wall, and a wooden model of a city.

Two humans discussing ideas over a laptop, with two more in the background.

People talking and looking over a wooden model of a city.

Wooden model of city in foreground while humans stand and gather around a large meeting desk in a room with floor to ceilings windows.

‘As our cities continue to grow and evolve, it is more important than ever to have a new generation of professionals who are equipped with the knowledge and skills to address the challenges and opportunities of urbanisation.’

Sarkis Nassif, founder and chief executive, Holdmark