Powerhouse Museum Renewal Moves Forward

Ultimo’s Powerhouse Museum has been granted planning consent, kickstarting the next stage of the institution’s renewal.

Concept planning consent will now enable the team behind the renewal to hold community and stakeholder consultations to finalise the design.

A national design competition was held last year and the jury chose the design by a team consisting of Architectus, Durbach Block Jaggers Architects, Tyrrell Studio, Youssofzay and Hart, Akira Isogawa, Yerrabingin, Finding Infinity and Arup, announcing the decision in December, 2022.

“The winning design team developed a visionary scheme that features expanded museum spaces while honouring and connecting the multiple layers of history across the Powerhouse site,” Powerhouse Trust president Peter Collins said.

“Planning consent allows us to move into the next important phase of the project and to get on with the job of reinvigorating one of Australia’s most revered museums, securing its future for many generations to come.

“We will now continue to consult with the community and stakeholders as we refine the final design of the museum and ensure the community provides input into the renewal during the next phase of the planning process.”

The plans include refurbished and expanded exhibition and public spaces to support the museum to provide an applied arts and applied sciences program and curate and display a collection of more than 500,000 objects.

▲ The Powerhouse Ultimo museum north of Macarthur Street in Sydney's CBD.

Its entrance will be relocated to face Chinatown and Darling Harbour, and the Wran Building, an extension to the Ultimo Power Station dating from 1988, and the old post office will be demolished.

“The design features a new public square that will connect the museum to The Goods Line and surrounding precincts, increasing public open space,” Powerhouse chief executive Lisa Havilah said.

“The Harris Street frontage will be revitalised with creative industry studios to support museum programs and access to the museum’s library and archives.”

The community can make submissions about the design details and the planning application until March 10, 2023.