Latest news with #PowerhouseUltimo
The Age
5 days ago
- Business
- The Age
Labor's $300 million Powerhouse Ultimo revamp hit by last-minute hitch
Much of the modern wing of the Powerhouse Ultimo is to be pulled down and rebuilt after a last-minute problem emerged with the controversial $300 million museum redevelopment. Construction giant Richard Crookes has been appointed to revamp the museum, which will see staircases, internal walls and mezzanines demolished within the heritage listed Boiler House, Engine House, Power House and Turbine Hall, artisan studios built along Harris Street, and the building's entrance reoriented to Haymarket and the CBD. Under plans approved only two months ago, the upper steel structure of the Wran Building and galleria, forming the modern wing of the Sulman Medal-winning architectural adaption to the 1988 museum, was to have been retained. But it has now been deemed not strong enough to carry the new brick structure, and the steel-ribbed structure forming its galleria is to be replaced in the same scale and form, with a lower concrete structure kept in place to lessen the impact of construction works on the heritage Switch House. Infrastructure NSW confirmed the late modification on Thursday, citing a series of concerns builders raised during the recent construction tender process. The existing steel structure was end-of-life and didn't meet current building codes and standards. 'Modification 1 is not about changing the design of the approved heritage revitalisation of Powerhouse Ultimo, it's about changing the methodology of building it,' a spokesperson said. 'The project remains on time and on budget, and a detailed construction program is currently being developed with Richard Crookes Constructions.' Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper said the revitalisation would deliver the best and safest outcome for the museum and its passionate community of visitors. 'Importantly the shape and scale of the iconic Wran and Galleria buildings will be safely replaced and future-proofed, so they can be enjoyed by visitors and the community for decades to come,' he said.
Sydney Morning Herald
5 days ago
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
Labor's $300 million Powerhouse Ultimo revamp hit by last-minute hitch
Much of the modern wing of the Powerhouse Ultimo is to be pulled down and rebuilt after a last-minute problem emerged with the controversial $300 million museum redevelopment. Construction giant Richard Crookes has been appointed to revamp the museum, which will see staircases, internal walls and mezzanines demolished within the heritage listed Boiler House, Engine House, Power House and Turbine Hall, artisan studios built along Harris Street, and the building's entrance reoriented to Haymarket and the CBD. Under plans approved only two months ago, the upper steel structure of the Wran Building and galleria, forming the modern wing of the Sulman Medal-winning architectural adaption to the 1988 museum, was to have been retained. But it has now been deemed not strong enough to carry the new brick structure, and the steel-ribbed structure forming its galleria is to be replaced in the same scale and form, with a lower concrete structure kept in place to lessen the impact of construction works on the heritage Switch House. Infrastructure NSW confirmed the late modification on Thursday, citing a series of concerns builders raised during the recent construction tender process. The existing steel structure was end-of-life and didn't meet current building codes and standards. 'Modification 1 is not about changing the design of the approved heritage revitalisation of Powerhouse Ultimo, it's about changing the methodology of building it,' a spokesperson said. 'The project remains on time and on budget, and a detailed construction program is currently being developed with Richard Crookes Constructions.' Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper said the revitalisation would deliver the best and safest outcome for the museum and its passionate community of visitors. 'Importantly the shape and scale of the iconic Wran and Galleria buildings will be safely replaced and future-proofed, so they can be enjoyed by visitors and the community for decades to come,' he said.
