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Text description provided by the architect. Located in the heart of Sydney, the restored Parramatta Town Hall is the perfect blend of historical awe and contemporary style. The Town Hall reopened 140 years after its founding in 1883 and remains a central gathering place for the community. Integral to this vision is its connection with PHIVE (Parramatta Civic Centre), a vibrant community, cultural and civic center in the local landscape adjacent to lively Parramatta Square. DesignInc, Lacoste+Stevenson, Manuelle Gautrand Architecture (MGA) and TKD Architects, who handled the heritage restoration, worked together to ensure a harmonious balance between the site’s rich history and the needs of a modern entertainment venue.
The project was developed in consultation with Parramatta City Council, with the main objective being to rehabilitate the Town Hall building and adapt it to new uses. The South Terrace is a new addition to Parramatta Square and serves as both a pre-event space and a multi-purpose performance stage, seamlessly connecting the Old Town Hall and the public square.
To meet contemporary needs, the design incorporates state-of-the-art acoustics, audio-visual technology, air conditioning, smoke extraction, fire protection, lift access and upgraded facilities, while retaining the original heritage structure.
The design approach revolves around a deep and authentic understanding of the site’s past. Parramatta Square was once a waterhole and stream that has held cultural significance to the Dharug tribe and other Aboriginal people for thousands of years. After colonization, it saw the implementation of the assimilation policy of 1816, culminating in the “Stolen Generations” event where the market once stood.
The architecture of the South Terrace, developed in close consultation with the project’s Design Excellence Jury, symbolically connects this historic space and integrates into the PHIVE and the adjoining piazza – the town hall’s intermediate gathering space. The conversion of Jubilee Hall into a catering facility launched the North Lane, ensuring the overall transformation.
In the next phase of the development, heritage interpretation elements implemented by the council on the public forecourt will tell the story of the site’s history. Parramatta Council’s commitment to sustainability reflects the city’s collective transformation. The council’s electricity supply is provided by 100% renewable energy, including a solar photovoltaic array on the roof of Southern Terrace. To emphasize recycling, up to 90% of construction waste was repurposed, with traditional brick and wooden flooring showcased throughout the space. Plans for rainwater harvesting, a dual pipe system and connection to a recycled water scheme emphasize the commitment to environmental awareness.
Material selection, particularly for the new public spaces facing the public plaza, prioritizes durability to ensure longevity, positioning Parramatta Town Hall as a symbol of historic preservation and sustainability.
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