Adaptive Reuse
About the program
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Around the world, architects and planners adapt abandoned spaces and old buildings for new and contemporary uses. Not only is this a practical way to preserve the past and spearhead urban renewal, it’s also a great way to tap into local histories; build dynamic, flourishing new communities; and breathe new life into entire neighbourhoods.
In this Sunday line-up, we’ll explore six world-class examples of adaptive reuse, including the recently relaunched arts precinct at Rozelle’s White Bay Power Station; and Sub Station No. 164 and Machine Hall – two disused and degraded industrial buildings brought back to life by Built and fjcstudio. Afterwards, visit the Sirius building in The Rocks – layered with history and now reimagined by JDH Capital and BVN Architecture. Be one of the first in the world to see the redevelopment of this iconic site.
It’s then on to The Brewery – the final piece in the puzzle for Central Park’s massive mixed-use project. The Brewery is an exceptional example of Sydney’s innovation and technology precinct, reimagined by IP Generation, Johnstaff, and Tzannes.
Finally, explore 50 Martin Place, the world’s most expensive building when it was built in 1928 and now home to Macquarie Group. Explore how the architects and project team reimagined the space in 2015 and connected the building to its new 2024 global headquarters at 1 Elizabeth Street.
As part of this event, Museums of History NSW invites attendees to celebrate 20 years of the Mint project with behind-the-scenes tours with our guides.
Plan your day
To help plan your day, we have developed suggested itineraries. Download itineraries
Every 15 minutes from 10am to 3.45pm
Enjoy a behind-the-scenes look at this extraordinary heritage-listed landmark, the only one of its kind to survive on Sydney Harbour. The power station was built between 1912 and 1917 to cope with the expansion of Sydney’s electric tram and rail systems. Its dominant harbourside position, dramatic vertical facade, castellated parapets and steam funnels mark the entrance to the Balmain waterfront and are an enduring symbol of the area’s industrial origins and traditions. This tour will take you to the remarkably intact control room, not normally open to the public.
Tours start at 10am and run every 15 minutes until 3.45pm. Make sure to put your name down to secure your spot.
Tours start at 10am, 10.30am, 11am, 11.30am, 2pm, 2.30pm, 3pm, 3.30pm
With a long and illustrious history of adaptation from the early 19th century to the present day, The Mint is a historically unique site. The buildings have served as a convict hospital, dispensary, infirmary for the poor, Royal Mint, public service offices, law courts and museum. The Mint was adapted for its present use in 2004. The project involved transforming this remarkable cultural asset into a fully functioning contemporary space, including accessible public spaces, display areas, and offices and meeting rooms for MHNSW staff, as well as venue hire and retail spaces, and set new benchmarks for adaptive reuse in Australia and around the world.
The project has received many awards, including the Australian Institute of Architects’ Sir John Sulman Medal for Outstanding Public Architecture and the Francis Greenway Award for Conservation. The Mint was also awarded the Lachlan Macquarie Award for Heritage and was nominated by the UK’s Building Services journal as one of the ‘top 30 ground-breaking buildings of the world’.
To find out more about the Mint project and view the office spaces and the Caroline Simpson Library, join us for an informative tour.
Capacity: 15 per tour
Join MHNSW Curator Anna Cossu for a 30-minute walking tour exploring how social, political and economic forces shaped the development of public and social housing in the Rocks area and how the working-class community adapted and responded to these shifts, as seen through the stories of former residents of Susannah Place and the Sirius building.
Capacity: 20
Time: 30 minutes
Tours start at 10am, 10.30am, 11am, 11.30am, 1.30pm, 2pm, 2.30pm, last tour 3pm
Since its closure in 1984, the White Bay Power Station has stood as a silent monument to our harbour’s industrial past. A symbol of both our city’s history and its indecision, the site lay dormant for decades, accessible only to a handful of trespassers and thrillseekers. Once apparently destined for demolition or redevelopment into housing or commercial spaces, the site is now a proud testament to visionary thinking. Fast-forward to 2024, and thanks to the persevering efforts of the NSW Government, the power station roared back to life as a cultural and community hub for the Biennale of Sydney.
But how did this remarkable transformation come about? What drove the decision to breathe new life into this historic structure, and what are the plans for its future use?
Dr Wayne Johnson, Archaeologist at Placemaking NSW, and Robert Gasparini of Design 5 Architects will guide us through the power station’s past, sharing fascinating stories of those who worked here as well as insights into the complex process of the building’s remediation.
MHNSW’s new CEO, Annette Pitman, will join Craig Donarski, Manager of Arts, Culture and Creative Industries for White Bay Power Station to discuss the practicalities of adaptive reuse, detailing how this asset will be leveraged to position Sydney as a global hub of culture and creativity.
Don’t miss your chance to be part of a conversation that celebrates our city’s past while looking towards its future.
Tickets: Drop-in. These talks are exclusive to Sydney Open ticketholders, with limited availability.
Talks begin at 11am
Capacity: 200
Speakers:
Annette Pitman, CEO, Museums of History NSW
Dr Wayne Johnson, Archaeologist, Placemaking NSW
Robert Gasparini, Senior Associate, Design 5 Architects
Craig Donarski, Manager of Arts, Culture and Creative Industries, White Bay Power Station
Every 20 minutes from 11am to 1pm
Capacity: 40
Loved or hated, this Sydney landmark has stirred up more than its fair share of controversy and debate. However, everyone can agree that in, on and around this site is a treasure-trove of stories and reflections. The site of the Sirius was a significant place for the local Gadigal people who fished and lived upon the shores of Sydney Harbour, and for many, the Sirius represents a site of intense and colourful cross-cultural encounters. Experts will be on hand to answer all your questions about the many aspects of this building’s rich and varied history as well as the design and architectural concepts that drove the recent redevelopment.
40-person capacity with sessions running every 20 minutes.
Experts:
Mary Sutton, local resident and activist
John Green, JDH
Peter Titmuss, BVN
Sally Campbell, BVN
Byron Sullivan, Senior Associate, BVN
Charles Pickett, architecture curator
Update: Please note tours of the offices are no longer available at Machine Hall and Sub Station No. 164. Enjoy a self guided exploration of the Sub Station lobby, Machine Hall and Speakeasy bar.
Every 20 minutes from 11am to 1pm
Capacity: 40
Loved or hated, this Sydney landmark has stirred up more than its fair share of controversy and debate. However, everyone can agree that in, on and around this site is a treasure-trove of stories and reflections. The site of the Sirius was a significant place for the local Gadigal people who fished and lived upon the shores of Sydney Harbour, and for many, the Sirius represents a site of intense and colourful cross-cultural encounters. Experts will be on hand to answer all your questions about the many aspects of this building’s rich and varied history as well as the design and architectural concepts that drove the recent redevelopment.
40-person capacity with sessions running every 20 minutes.
Experts:
Mary Sutton, local resident and activist
John Green, JDH
Peter Titmuss, BVN
Sally Campbell, BVN
Byron Sullivan, Senior Associate, BVN
Charles Pickett, architecture curator
Every 20 minutes from 11am to 1pm
Capacity: 40
Loved or hated, this Sydney landmark has stirred up more than its fair share of controversy and debate. However, everyone can agree that in, on and around this site is a treasure-trove of stories and reflections. The site of the Sirius was a significant place for the local Gadigal people who fished and lived upon the shores of Sydney Harbour, and for many, the Sirius represents a site of intense and colourful cross-cultural encounters. Experts will be on hand to answer all your questions about the many aspects of this building’s rich and varied history as well as the design and architectural concepts that drove the recent redevelopment.
40-person capacity with sessions running every 20 minutes.
Experts:
Mary Sutton, local resident and activist
John Green, JDH
Peter Titmuss, BVN
Sally Campbell, BVN
Byron Sullivan, Senior Associate, BVN
Charles Pickett, architecture curator
Update: Please note tours of the offices are no longer available at Machine Hall and Sub Station No. 164. Enjoy a self guided exploration of the Sub Station lobby, Machine Hall and Speakeasy bar.
Every 20 minutes from 11am to 1pm
Capacity: 40
Loved or hated, this Sydney landmark has stirred up more than its fair share of controversy and debate. However, everyone can agree that in, on and around this site is a treasure-trove of stories and reflections. The site of the Sirius was a significant place for the local Gadigal people who fished and lived upon the shores of Sydney Harbour, and for many, the Sirius represents a site of intense and colourful cross-cultural encounters. Experts will be on hand to answer all your questions about the many aspects of this building’s rich and varied history as well as the design and architectural concepts that drove the recent redevelopment.
40-person capacity with sessions running every 20 minutes.
Experts:
Mary Sutton, local resident and activist
John Green, JDH
Peter Titmuss, BVN
Sally Campbell, BVN
Byron Sullivan, Senior Associate, BVN
Charles Pickett, architecture curator
This session will explore how practitioners can work authentically on Country and embed both contemporary and ancient cultural practices.
Update: Please note tours of the offices are no longer available at Machine Hall and Sub Station No. 164. Enjoy a self guided exploration of the Sub Station lobby, Machine Hall and Speakeasy bar.
In this future-focused session, our panellists explore how adaptive reuse supports the creation of vibrant and culturally rich urban environments.
Tickets: Drop-in. This event is exclusive to Sydney Open ticketholders, with limited availability.
Join us for an insightful discussion with some of the architects who have redefined adaptive reuse in Sydney. The distinguished panel includes Alec Tzannes, Tim Greer and Elizabeth Carpenter, three practitioners who have embedded sustainable and adaptive reuse practices into Sydney’s architectural fabric.
Around the world, architects and planners adapt abandoned spaces and heritage buildings for new and contemporary uses. Not only is this a practical way to preserve the past and spearhead urban renewal, it’s also a great way to tap into local histories; build dynamic, flourishing new communities; and breathe new life into entire neighbourhoods.
In this engaging conversation, our panellists will explore the essential elements of creating enduring architecture. They will reflect on how the sustainability movement of the early 2000s shaped their approach, highlighting the role of collaboration, perseverance and adaptability in their successful projects. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of the social histories behind these iconic sites and hear candid reflections on the projects’ evolution and transformation.
This is a rare opportunity to gain firsthand insights from the architects who have played a pivotal role in shaping Sydney’s urban landscape. As we hear about their experiences, we will also explore what they might have done differently and their visionary aspirations for the city’s future.
Speakers:
Dr Tim Greer, Founding Director, TZG
Alec Tzannes, Director, Tzannes
Elizabeth Carpenter, fjcstudio
Tickets: Drop-in. This event is exclusive to Sydney Open ticketholders, with limited availability.
Meet at The Private Kitchen, Kensington Street, Chippendale, at 2.45pm for a 3pm start.
Capacity: 90
