HASSELL + Populous to design new Sydney International Convention Precinct

Joint venture partners, HASSELL + Populous have won the architectural contract for the design of Sydney's new integrated convention, exhibition and entertainment precinct at Darling Harbour, due for completion in 2016.
HASSELL + Populous are design consultants to Destination Sydney consortium, which has been selected by the NSW Government as preferred developer and contractor of the AUD $1 billion facility. The consortium comprises of developer Lend Lease, its infrastructure development business Capella Capital, leading venue managers and operators AEG Ogden, and Spotless, who will deliver facility management services.

Populous has designed both the London and Sydney Olympic stadiums in addition to 45 Convention and Exhibition centres around the world. The firm's senior principal and project leader, Richard Breslin, says Sydney will have a state-of-the-art venue that will showcase the city to the world and revitalise Darling Harbour, both economically and culturally.

Ken Maher, HASSELL design leader on the project, said the firm was delighted to take on the challenge of transforming a key Sydney precinct through the design of three major public buildings and the unifying public realm, stating "the re-making of Darling Harbour is a rare opportunity to design a significant new quarter within the central city.

"It extends the urban fabric and re-connects the city to Ultimo and Pyrmont with more permeable networks of streets and lanes. Importantly it can bring a new level of public amenity for visitors and citizens alike through extended public parkland that is identifiably 'Sydney' in character.

"It will be a fusion of architecture and landscape, of indoors and outdoors, of engagement, education, living, creative working and entertainment. The project demonstrates the imperative of responsive design to sustain urban life at this critical time for our cities and communities."

Populous' Richard Breslin added that the project presents a great opportunity for Sydney as a major international destination, adding "this precinct will reflect the dynamism of Sydney's cityscape, redefine Darling Harbour, and respect the precinct's parkland setting.

"The landmark Convention Centre, deliberately clad in materials which reflect its spectacular harbour outlook, will be complimented by the rest of the precinct which looks onto parkland. Here, the building's boundaries are set back, designed so the landscape becomes part of the building, with circulation and meeting spaces open to the park, terraces functioning as meeting spaces, and a huge 5,000 metre2 open deck on top of the building providing a platform to be used for major events."

The Sydney International Convention, Exhibition and Entertainment Precinct (SICEEP) will include:

• A convention facility capable of holding three separate concurrent events of up to 2,500 delegates;
• Total exhibition capacity of 40,000 metres2;
• An external event deck of 5,000 metres2 featuring spectacular city views;
• A plenary hall which can be converted to an entertainment theatre with a seated capacity of 8,000;
• A grand ballroom with banqueting space for up to 2,000.

For more information go to www.siceep.com/

2nd July 2012 - BIGGER SEATS AT PERTH STADIUM TO BATTLE HOME COMFORTS 

28th April 2012 - POPULOUS TO DESIGN NEW CONVENTION CENTRE IN BANGALORE 

1st December 2011 - CONSORTIA SHORTLISTED FOR NEW SYDNEY CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION PRECINCT

27th August 2010 - BUSINESS GROUP CALLS FOR THE DEMOLITION OF THE SEC

27th August 2009 - SYDNEY ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE GETS DOWN TO BUSINESS

2nd April 2009 - POPULOUS - DRAWING PEOPLE TOGETHER 

Asking a small favour

We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

The news we publish at www.ausleisure.com.au is independent, credible (we hope) and free for you to access, with no pay walls and no annoying pop-up ads.

However, as an independent publisher, can we ask for you to support us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine - if you don't already do so.

Published bi-monthly since 1997, the printed Australasian Leisure Management differs from this website in that it publishes longer, in-depth and analytical features covering aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues management.

Subscriptions cost just $90 a year.

Click here to subscribe.