Walsh Bay Arts Precinct secures Lachlan Macquarie Award for Heritage

Sydney’s newest cultural precinct on the Sydney Harbour foreshore has secured the Lachlan Macquarie Award for Heritage at the 2022 National Architecture Awards, as well as a National Award for Public Architecture, for the transformation of Pier 2/3 and Wharf 4/5 undertaken by Tonkin Zulaikha Greer Architects.

The Australian Institute of Architects’ National Architecture Awards program celebrates the diversity and quality of the nation’s built environment and provides the Institute with a valuable mechanism to promote architects and architecture across Australia and internationally.

This year’s 2022 awards program attracted hundreds of entrants, with 184 entries eligible for the National Awards. A comprehensive judging process determines the shortlisted and winning entries. The winners were announced at an event at Taronga Zoo on 3rd November.

In addition to these two new awards, Walsh Bay Arts Precinct has already received significant acclaim for TZG’s heritage-sensitive redevelopment, including awards in four categories at the 2022 NSW Architecture Awards. The Precinct received the state’s top award, the NSW Architecture Medallion, as well as awards for Public Architecture, Greenway Award for Heritage and a commendation for Interior Architecture. Earlier this year Walsh Bay Arts Precinct won in the Adaptive Reuse category at the National Trust Heritage Awards 2022, and in July 2021 the renovation of Sydney Theatre Company’s premises at Wharf 4/5 by Hassell was recognised with the prestigious Sir John Sulman Medal for Public Architecture. Wharf 4/5 is the only project to have won the Sulman Medal twice.

Walsh Bay Arts Precinct’s resident companies comprise Bangarra Dance Theatre, Gondwana Choirs, Sydney Dance Company, Sydney Philharmonia Choirs, Sydney Theatre Company and The Song Company, all located at Wharf 4/5 and at Pier 2/3, Australian Chamber Orchestra, Australian Theatre for Young People and Bell Shakespeare. A premier arts and culture hub, the Precinct presents a vibrant program of musical concerts, dance and theatre performances, classes workshops and public events. 

The newly redeveloped Walsh Bay Arts Precinct is the result of $371 million investment by the NSW Government.

Image. Credit: Brett Boardman