Powerhouse Parramatta: A New Hub for Science, Design, and Art
The $915 million museum blends permanent collections with immersive, community-focused contemporary exhibitions.
1Architectural Marvel in Parramatta
The new Powerhouse Parramatta is a $915 million project designed by architects Moreau Kusunoki and Genton. The structure features two massive, white exoskeleton buildings that stand out against the modern office skyline. Its glass walls are specifically engineered to invite natural light inside, creating a bright, open atmosphere for visitors.
2Interactive Tidal Pool Exhibit
The Overflow exhibition features a giant screen displaying films by Kamilaroi filmmaker Ivan Sen, highlighting First Nations communities. A unique, shallow tidal pool sits in front of the screen, rising and falling with the Parramatta River. This installation encourages visitors to wade into the water, blending art with environmental awareness.
3Reimagining the Permanent Collection
Contrary to critics claiming the museum abandoned its history, The Dark exhibition utilizes objects from the permanent collection. Designed for children, it features minerals, precious stones, and mechanical birds from the original Ultimo location. This display successfully bridges the gap between historical artifacts and modern, engaging experiences for younger museum visitors.
4Celebrating Shopping Mall Culture
The Mall exhibition explores the design and community life of shopping centers through a historical lens. It includes the original Parramall neon sign, antique cash registers, and the David Jones archive. Co-designed with OMA*AMO, the exhibit captures the evolution of retail spaces through photography, advertising posters, and immersive window displays.
5Exploration of Flight and Space
Task Eternal is the museum’s largest exhibition, tracing aviation history from ancient boomerangs to modern space exploration. It features Leonardo da Vinci’s sketches alongside Lawrence Hargrave’s models and an Apollo space capsule. The exhibit also includes an immersive Ganzfeld light installation by James Turrell, designed to evoke profound perceptual confusion in viewers.
6Es Devlin’s Artistic Meditations
Artist Es Devlin presents The Turning, a series of works including the Forest of Us and a 3D-printed Memory Palace. The installation features an updated iteration of her London-based work, incorporating local Australian sites of activism. Visitors are invited to participate in Collective Portrait, a silent, fifteen-minute drawing exercise.
7Community Engagement and Performance
Outside the museum, Devlin’s egg-shaped stage displays drawings of 244 endangered local species. This serves as the backdrop for Come Home Again, a choral performance series held during November. These performances, scheduled from Thursday to Sunday at dusk, aim to foster a deeper connection between the museum and the local community.
8Impact and Operational Details
Powerhouse Parramatta operates daily from 10am to 5pm, with extended hours until 9pm during its opening festival in November. Entry is free for all visitors, reflecting the institution's goal to serve as a catalyst for local development. The museum stands as a significant cultural investment for the surrounding suburbs and beyond.