PARRAMATTA’S NEW CIVIC CENTRE

The latest stage of Parramatta’s redevelopment to move forward is the commercial and community facilities sector, which will incorporate a civic and community building created by Manuelle Gautrand Architecture in collaboration with DesignInc and Lacoste + Stevenson.

Set in Parramatta Square – which is a 3 ha mixed use redevelopment precinct located in Parramatta CBD, bounded by Church, Macquarie, Smith and Darcy Streets – the design incorporates council chambers and offices, a library, public roof gardens, a customer care center and visitor experience center, community meeting rooms, a technology hub, and an innovation space.

At 12,000sqm, the building sits six-storeys high and extends behind Parramatta’s Town Hall. With a mixture of rectangular shapes and parabolic curves, the new structure will help to form the new identity of the emerging bustling metropolis in Sydney’s west.

The winning design submission by the team was unanimously chosen by the jury and endorsed by Parramatta City Council. Parramatta Mayor Paul Garrard claims, “The jury was tasked with selecting an iconic design and they have certainly fulfilled that brief. The architects have produced a contemporary and thought-provoking design that is sure to become a must-see destination for visitors to Parramatta, and we congratulate the team on producing a spectacular winning design.” 

As winners of the design competition, the collaborative design of Manuelle Gautrand Architecture, DesignInc, and Lacoste + Stevenson will move into the development application stage to seek approval before construction can begin.

The new civic and community development is but one part of the $2 billion (AUD) redevelopment taking place in Parramatta Square but is expected to cost $50 million (AUD) to complete. If approved, the building will be completed in 2020.