The Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences’ proposed $30 million expansion of its Museums Discovery Centre in Castle Hill, north-west Sydney, has been approved.
Designed by Lahznimmo Architects, the expansion will include a public-facing building giving visitors access to the Powerhouse Museum collection, as well as hosting public education programs, workshops, talks and events.
There will also be space for storage and research. The museum complex is currently home to six buildings; five of which are for storage, and only one is accessible to visitors.
“The Museums Discovery Centre expansion is an integral component of the Powerhouse Program and will provide an important and significant cultural institution within The Hills Shire and the Central ‘River City’ District,” said Museum Trust president Peter Collins.
“The expansion will deliver greater access to the Powerhouse’s iconic collection of more than 500,000 objects by increasing opportunities for skill-sharing, education and community programs as well as temporary exhibitions.”
Powerhouse chief executive Lisa Havilah said, “The new state-of-the-art facility will increase the Powerhouse Museum’s Collection storage space by 30 percent, enhancing the ongoing role of Castle Hill as a centre for preservation, maintenance, conservation, care and display exhibition of the Powerhouse Collection.”
“This is going to be a remarkable cultural asset for all the communities of the Hills Shire and Greater Western Sydney.
“Access to the Collection for the community lies at the heart of this expansion, ranging from the Apple Computer 1 to the iconic objects from the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games it truly is a remarkable Collection and it belongs to the people of NSW.”
Source: Architecture - architectureau
