The winners of a Design Excellence Competition for the $188 million redevelopment of Riverside Theatres in Western Sydney have been announced.
Cox Architecture is set to lead the design of the updated performing arts centre with 3XN Architects, Aileen Sage, Turf Design Studio and Bangawarra. The consortium was selected unanimously by the jury from a pool of five international design teams.
Chair of the Design Excellence jury and NSW Government Architect Abbie Galvin said all five submissions proposed “exciting, thoughtful and highly original designs.”
“Congratulations to the winning team for their sophisticated and expressive design which has cleverly combined the complex requirements of […] performance spaces with a dynamic form that twists, shapes and modulates to respond to the river and welcomes the community.”
Facade from Parramatta River.
Image:
Cox Architecture with 3XN Architects, Aileen Sage, Turf Design Studio and Bangawarra
The venue will comprise a 1,500-seat Broadway-style theatre, a refurbished 760-seat Riverside Playhouse theatre, a new 420-seat black-box drama theatre, an 80-seat digital studio and cinema, as well as enhanced public spaces. It will accommodate more than double the current capacity of the existing theatre.
The project design objectives include updating facilities for contemporary use, improving accessibility and inclusivity around the site and fostering cultural diversity.
Inside the Broadway-style theatre.
Image:
Cox Architecture with 3XN Architects, Aileen Sage, Turf Design Studio and Bangawarra
Design director of Cox Architecture Joe Agius said the reimagined Riverside Theatres will be a major uplift in the cultural capacity for Parramatta and Greater Western Sydney.
“Guided by a commitment to the location’s First Nations origin and sense of place, our goal was for a design that sensitively responds to both the natural beauty of the river and the site’s city context. Our team of creative collaborators are honoured to be part of this transformative project for the City of Parramatta and New South Wales.”
City of Parramatta Lord Mayor Pierre Esber said the redevelopment is a monumental step in Parramatta’s journey to becoming a global city.
“Parramatta is already the geographical heart of Sydney and the redevelopment of Riverside Theatres will create an iconic architectural landmark that honours our First Nations heritage and connects deeply with the cultural fabric of our city,” Esber said.
“We are committed to providing a thriving cultural precinct in Parramatta and this new design for Riverside brings us one step closer to our end goal.”
The project is part of an envisaged Parramatta Cultural Precinct, which will also include the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences (MAAS) and Civic Link.
Construction will begin in late 2025, with the reimagined performing arts centre anticipated to open in 2028.
Source: Architecture - architectureau
