Newington Armory + Parkland Junction ::

Project Description::

Tonkin Zulaikha Greer and Sue Barnsley Design have prepared concept designs for the Newington Armory and Parkland Junction. The challenges presented in these two sites hold the key to the expansion of Sydney Olympic Park as a unique and diverse natural and cultural environment. The programmatic scope of Sydney Olympic Park will grow far beyond big spectator events into cultural, heritage, artistic and scientific spheres, involving active and passive recreation.

As the SOPA masterplan is implemented, a significant population will be living at Homebush Bay. The Park will be the focus of the ‘middle ring’ of Sydney, and a vital and special retreat in an increasingly dense environment. Growing usage and expectations place added importance on the development of Parkland Junction and The Newington Armory.

The unique buildings and landscape at the Newington Armory give the proposed Institute an enviable infrastructure for growth and development suitable for its diverse and ambitious charter.

New works are strategic and enabling, allowing access, adaptive reuse and restoration to sensitively respond to the memory of place.

The proposal develops a sympathetic ‘fit’ of zoned uses in the retained buildings and landforms, with minimal new structures. The focus is a new Visitors Centre enjoying rare long views up and down the Parramatta River.