TWENTY-TWENTY-THREE: A year in review
The ninth edition of our Sparks+Partners Annual Review, or SPAR, gives you a light and insightful look at the year that has been. Twenty-Three concentrates on our people, capabilities and projects.
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Competition launched for Western Sydney University’s Indigenous Centre of Excellence
Australian architects and designers are invited to submit expressions of interest to design a new home for Western Sydney University’s Indigenous Centre of Excellence.
Design competition launched for Parramatta theatres redevelopment
The City of Parramatta has opened expressions of interest for the Riverside Theatres Redevelopment Design Competition. The council invites Australian-led design teams, which may include international expertise, to register for a two-stage competition for a project that will catalyse the further transformation of the city’s cultural precinct.
NSW Government introduces Connecting with Country Framework
The New South Wales government has finalized its Connecting with Country Framework, which provides guidance for designers, planners and governments on how to respond to Country and empower Aboriginal voices in the design process. Developed by Government Architect NSW, the framework encourages all built environment projects to take a Country-centred approach, guided by Aboriginal people. […]
Five rival designs for new Western Sydney ‘Central Park’
Five Australian landscape architecture practices have been shortlisted in a competition to design a two-hectare park in a new city development near the proposed Western Sydney Airport.
Blacktown Animal Rehoming Centre by Sam Crawford Architects
The largest pet rescue centre in the Southern Hemisphere has opened, with capacity for up to 380 cats and dogs to take up residence in the Sam Crawford Architects designed facility.
‘It’s interesting yet it’s not’: AI and Architecture
In Part 1 of a two-part series, senior associates at Warren and Mahoney, Michael Leng and Te Ari Prendergast, consider the advent of AI and how people choose to either adjust, adapt or adopt as it rolls out around us. The conversation with AI is not one nor the other, it is not the start […]
Circular Quay tower’s luxury apartment sales hit $1b, and it’s not even built
The number of multimillionaire property owners in Sydney is swelling after more than half the apartments in the luxury residential tower at One Circular Quay sold off the plan for a combined $1 billion. The top floor penthouse at the 58-storey tower is priced at $140 million, a record high for a penthouse in Australia, […]
Liverpool’s civic centre reaches milestone
Liverpool Civic Place, a $600 million development that combines council chambers, community facilities, commercial offices and a hotel, is taking shape, with the first stage of the precinct topping out on 17 May. Designed by FJC Studio (formerly FJMT Studio), Liverpool Civic Place will set two office towers, a public library and an art gallery […]
High-density office and housing precincts proposed for north-west Sydney
The Hills Shire Council has proposed three high-density precincts that would see new offices, housing and public spaces built near train stations in Sydney’s north-west. Draft precinct plans for Norwest, Castle Hill and Rouse Hill envision lively mixed-use developments that would bring more jobs to the area and provide housing close to public transit. “By […]
Bold and innovative planning is delivering Australia’s newest city. But it will be hot – and can we ditch the colonial name?
A massive project is unfolding in Sydney’s Western Parkland region. The building of a new city from the ground up is central to an infrastructure-led restructuring of metropolitan Sydney. The catalysts are the Western Sydney City Deal and the Western Sydney Airport being built alongside the new Bradfield City. Bradfield city is being developed on unceded Aboriginal land with complex […]
‘Sculptural’ school buildings proposed in Sydney’s inner west
Architectus has designed two new school buildings for a private girls’ school in Sydney’s inner west. The buildings will create additional teaching spaces needed to accommodate senior school enrolment projections for Meriden School in Strathfield.
Construction underway on western Sydney paediatric hospital
Construction has begun on a new 14-storey paediatric services building at the Children’s Hospital in Westmead, western Sydney. Designed by architects Billard Leece Partnership (BLP), the new 14-storey building is part of the $619-million stage two redevelopment of the Westmead Children’s Hospital. The new facility will house the largest critical care unit for children in […]
Phive – 5 Parramatta Square
Amidst Parramatta’s sprouting field of skyscrapers, the city’s sculpturesque new civic centre and library building cantilevers over the public square and carves out its own space, creating “a stage for the theatre of community life.” It’s been a bit rough since 2016, don’t you think? In times as turbulent as these, it’s human nature to […]
Design competition forthcoming for Indigenous education centre
The NSW government has allocated $78.5 million to establish an Indigenous Centre of Excellence at Western Sydney University. Slated to be built at the university’s Parramatta South campus on Darug land, the centre will be a place for research and inquiry, forming and key part of the university’s ambitions to become a national leader in […]
Design selected for Parramatta towers
Sydney-based practice Turner has been selected to design a $560-million mixed-use development in Parramatta. Located at 34 Hassall Street, plans for the development incorporate two towers, up to 44 storeys, containing 600 residential apartments as well as commercial spaces for retail and workspaces. Parramatta’s population is forecast to increase by nearly 70 percent in the […]
Competition forthcoming for Parramatta Riverside Theatres redevelopment
City of Parramatta has approved the business case for the redevelopment of its Riverside Theatres venue on the banks of the Parramatta River. “Our much-loved theatre has been entertaining locals and visitors for more than 30 years and it’s time to move Riverside into the future,” said lord mayor Donna Davis. “We are so excited […]
TWENTY-TWENTY-TWO: A year in review
The seventh edition of our Sparks+Partners Annual Review, or SPAR, gives you a light and insightful look at the year that has been (and whaaat?). Twenty-Twenty-One concentrates on our people, capabilities, projects and some light entertainment.
Colourful pavilion to invigorate Western Sydney community
Construction has begun on a vibrant new pavilion and public domain for a Western Sydney community. Designed by Chrofi and JMD Design, the project will be the first in a series of neighbourhood spaces for the Mount Druitt and Blacktown area, providing much-needed community infrastructure. The Mount Druitt town centre was the first entirely new town […]
Design revealed for Western Sydney’s Winter Sports World
Final designs for Australia’s first year-round indoor snow resort, the $400-million Winter Sports World in Western Sydney, have now been released, seven years after the project’s initial proposal. Designed by Environa Studio in association with Collins and Turner, the indoor snow resort will feature a 300-metre advanced open run for skiers and snowboarders, as well […]
What is the Future of Hydraulic Engineering in Buildings?
Dealing with water and sewerage may not be sexy, but the past few decades have seen considerable evolution with regard to hydraulic engineering in buildings and building services as challenges have opened up in areas such as environmentally sustainable engineering, black water mining, grey water recycling, and blue roof storage attenuation.
Architect appointed for Parramatta build-to-rent tower
Rothelowman has been selected from a design competition as the architect to deliver a built-to-rent project in Parramatta for Novus Group. On a corner site at the intersection of Hassell and Harris streets, “Novus on Harris” will provide future residents with views over the CBD and Parramatta Park, maximising use of local amenity and transport […]
It’s official. Sparks+Partners is open for MORE business in Parramatta!
It’s official. We are (always) open for business—the Hon. Dr Geoff Lee, Member for Parramatta, officialised the ribbon cutting of Sparks+Partners’ new premises on Friday, 30 September 2022. The ceremony was part of a Welcome Lunch for neighbours and friends held onsite at the office. Plus, the perfect way to test our new BBQ. We […]
Long-awaited Parramatta civic hub opens
Parramatta council has opened its $135 million civic hub, designed by Manuelle Gautrand Architecture, Designinc and Lacoste and Stevenson. Dubbed “Phive” after its address, 5 Parramatta Square, the civic hub is the centrepiece of the $2.7 billion project to transform the historic centre of Sydney’s western city. The building houses council chambers, community meeting rooms, […]
Revised designs released for Sydney’s Central Place
New design details have been released for Central Place in Sydney’s “tech central”, cited as the city’s most significant development in over a decade. Designed by Fender Katsalidis, American practice Skidmore, Owings and Merrill and Edition Office, the $3 billion development proposes to revitalize Sydney’s busiest transport interchange with a “vibrant new business district,” the […]
Construction to begin on Sydney Children’s Hospital redevelopment
Construction is poised to begin on stage one of the $658 million redevelopment of Sydney Children’s Hospital and Children’s Comprehensive Cancer Centre in Randwick. Designed by Billard Leece Partnership, the redeveloped paediatric hospital will deliver dedicated care for some of the state’s most unwell children. Initial concept designs for the hospital, which will be based […]
Bates Smart, Smart Design Studio design first towers in carbon neutral precinct | ArchitectureAU
Bates Smart and Smart Design Studio have designed the first two towers for a nine-building residential centre planned near the new Norwest Metro Station in Sydney’s Hills Shire. The masterplan for the development, known as Norwest Quarter, calls for “nine slender residential towers of varying heights and shapes, with large separation distances between buildings and […]
Wedge-shaped hotel proposed for central Sydney
Architectus has designed a wedge-shaped hotel for a narrow site in Sydney’s burgeoning tech precinct near Central Station. The 144-room hotel will be built at 323 Castlereagh Street, between a 1970s office building designed by Fox and Associates known as Central Square and the Belmore Park substation. The hotel will form the final piece of […]
Six-building cluster in Western Sydney to be formed of acute angles and curved expressions
Fender Katsalidis has designed six apartment buildings of between seven and eleven storeys for Pennant Hills Road in Carlingford, northeast of Parramatta. Lined up along a steep incline, the buildings will be arranged around a central village forecourt, with public pedestrian paths running between buildings and leading to a future light rail connection. The development […]
TWENTY-TWENTY-ONE: A year in review
The seventh edition of our Sparks+Partners Annual Review, or SPAR, gives you a light and insightful look at the year that has been (and whaaat?). Twenty-Twenty-One concentrates on our people, capabilities, projects and some light entertainment.
45-storey tower proposed as part of Sydney Olympic Park development
Fitzpatrick and Partners’ competition-winning design for an apartment and office complex in Sydney Olympic Park has been submitted for planning approval.
Vertical primary school proposed for Western Sydney
A Catholic primary school planned for Westmead in Parramatta could become Sydney’s newest vertical school, with the council and state planning department lending support to the project despite concerns over traffic and access to open space. Proposed by the Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta, the Westmead Catholic Community Project would include the delivery of a […]
TWENTY-TWENTY: A year in review
The sixth edition of our Sparks+Partners Annual Review, or SPAR, gives you a light and insightful look at the year that has been (and whoa). Twenty-Twenty concentrates on our people, capabilities, projects and transformation.
Parramatta Powerhouse design tweaked, Willow Grove to be relocated
The design of the Powerhouse Museum in Parramatta has inched closer to being finalized after Infrastructure NSW released the Response to Submission report. The report outlines design developments to the new museum, by Moreau Kusunoki and Genton, which include improvements to the public domain, a reduction of the proposed buildings’ overall footprint, and the inclusion […]
Struck gold at the WSABE Awards
Sparks+Partners Consulting Engineers is where rich history and expertise in quality engineering blends with innovation, technology and drive. As a burgeoning business in 2016, they struck gold at the WSABE Awards and were conferred with the Commonwealth Bank Business of the Year Award. Learn more about their rapid growth and plans to continue developing in the below preview of the WSABE Leaders Collection.
Two-tower ‘innovation quarter’ approved for Sydney’s Westmead
A $350 million “innovation precinct” in the Sydney suburb of Westmead has received development approval. The project, designed by Architectus, will consist of two mixed-use towers, to be located between Westmead Hospital and railway station. It will become a hub for health, education, research, and business, as well as “lifestyle facilities” such as a supermarket, […]
Vaughan Constructions – Building Customers for Life | Marrickville Freezers Foodservice project now complete
On Tuesday 28 May the Vaughan team attended the ribbon cutting and blessing ceremony at the recently completed Marrickville Freezers Foodservice facility. Blessed by a priest, the ceremony celebrates the new building and prosperous future. Liverpool Council Mayor, Wendy Waller also attended the event alongside the Marrickville Freezers Foodservice team. Achieving practical completion Friday 10 […]
June 2, 2020
Construction to start on Western Sydney Airport metro | ArchitectureAU
Construction on the $11 billion rail link to Western Sydney Airport will start later in 2020, with the federal and NSW governments pledging a further $3.5 billion for the project, to be split 50/50. The metro line, running from St Mary’s railway station to the proposed airport, will include six proposed metro railway stations and is […]
FINALIST in the LeadershipHQ Outstanding Leadership Awards
Congratulations Leon! you have been chosen as a FINALIST in the SME Business Leader of the Year Category in our Awards. The team at McDonald Inc. and LeadershipHQ Outstanding Leadership Awards received 100’s of incredible nominations in our 2020 Awards. We were all so impressed with your nomination and we are beyond excited to have you as a finalist.
Atlassian’s $1b timber Sydney tower
Atlassian will build a $1 billion-plus concrete-and-timber tower next to Sydney’s Central Station, as the flagship project in a NSW government-backed technology precinct that will eventually link Ultimo with Redfern on the CBD’s southern edge. The tech giant has chosen, but not publicly announced, a design by New York-based SHoP Architects and Australia’s BVN for […]
City of Parramatta appoints builder for iconic new civic building | City of Parramatta
City of Parramatta Council has appointed Australian company Built to construct 5 Parramatta Square – the City’s new civic, cultural and community building – following a rigorous 12-month selection process. “We are thrilled to be appointing Built to deliver 5 Parramatta Square, the jewel in the crown of the world-class Parramatta Square precinct,” City of Parramatta Lord Mayor Cr […]
January 6, 2020
Sparks+Partners Consulting Engineers and Niven Donnelly & Partners announce merger of their business operations
This exciting venture will bring to our clients and industry an unparalleled hydraulic and fire protection engineering service and bolsters an already dynamic multi-discipline firm.
TWENTY NINETEEN: 5-years in review
This is the fifth (birthday) edition of our Annual Review, to give you a light and insightful look at the year that has been. The Review concentrates on our people, capabilities, projects and technologies.
Western Sydney Aerotropolis plans unveiled
The NSW government has released a tranche of documents outlining its plans for the 11,200-hectare “aerotropolis” it hopes to see eventually developed around the new airport at Badgerys Creek in Sydney’s West. Zaha Hadid Architects and Cox Architecture were announced as the architects of the airport itself in October. The draft Western Sydney Aerotropolis Plan outlines a long-term […]
Vertical schools on the rise in Australian cities
Growing inner-urban residential populations and land scarcity have created a new typology: the vertical school. These campuses are changing not only the physical teaching and learning space but also the way education is delivered.
Vaughan Constructions Fujitsu HQ wins NSW Master Builders Association Award
Jacfin’s Fujitsu General Australia Fujitsu General Australia Headquarters National Headquarters and Distribution Centre has been awarded as the winner of the ‘Excellence in Construction of Industrial Buildings $10-25 million’ category at the 2019 New South Wales Master Builders Association awards ceremony. Held last Saturday 9 November at The Star in Pyrmont, the awards celebrate the […]
November 20, 2019
A City Supported by Infrastructure
The Place-based Infrastructure Compact When preparing A Metropolis of Three Cities – the Greater Sydney Region Plan, Sydneysiders told us that the new jobs and homes needed to support our growing city must be created in an orderly way – in the right places, at the right time. This is what sparked the idea of a […]
Ring-shaped aquatic centre design revealed after year of secrecy
The NSW government and Parramatta City Council have jointly announced the winning design for the Parramatta Aquatic centre, after more than a year of secrecy around the design. ArchitectureAU
Employer of Choice Finalists in the WSABE Awards 2019
WSABE strengthens the Greater Western Sydney business community by facilitating a shared celebration of success and mutual achievement and we are a part of this community.
Parramatta’s New Engineering Innovation Hub Under Way
Plans for a new $280 million Engineering Innovation Hub are under way with the proposal now on exhibition for Parramatta’s new precinct. Dinah Lewis Boucher, The Urban Developer – Connecting ideas, people and cities
TWENTY EIGHTEEN: 30-years in review
This is the fourth edition of our annual review, giving you a light and useful insight into the year that has been and with a focus on our people, capabilities, technologies and projects.
Ceerose complete Ashfield Central Boutique Apartments
Ceerose has recently completed Ashfield Central for Abacus Property Group, a stunning boutique project designed by JPRA Architects comprising 101 luxurious apartments and three retail units across two towers. Private landscaped areas wrap through the buildings.
Finalists Announced for the 28th Annual Western Sydney Awards for Business Excellence
Sparks+Partners Consulting Engineers have been nominated as finalists in the 2018 WSABE iCare Excellence in Business category, along with six other outstanding Western Sydney businesses.
LOGOS secures Volvo at Prestons Logistics Estate Sydney
LOGOS has secured Volvo Group Australia at Prestons Logistics Estate, Sydney. LOGOS will develop a purpose built, multi-branded truck facility at the Prestons Logisitics Estate in Sydney’s south.
Laundy breaks ground on new pub construction
Marking a highlight of a career spanning more than five decades, Arthur Laundy yesterday celebrated construction beginning on his Marsden Park Hotel & Brewery by planting a ceremonial shovel in the ground. By Clyde Mooney PubTIC
Fujitsu General Australia begins construction on new headquarters in Western Sydney
Fujitsu General Australia celebrates the start of construction on its new national headquarters at Eastern Creek, New South Wales. The new headquarters will be a 5-star Green Star energy rated building, providing additional space to encourage business growth and increase employment opportunities within the surrounding region. Fujitsu General has signed a ten-year lease with the […]
TWENTY SEVENTEEN: A year in review
This is the third edition of our annual review, giving you a light and useful insight into the year that has been and with a focus on our people, capabilities, technologies and projects.
Sparks+Partners are finalist’s for 2017 WSABE Excellence in Business
It is with great excitement that we announce Sparks+Partners Consulting Engineers’ nomination as finalists in the 2017 WSABE iCare Excellence in Business award category.
Western Sydney Awards for Business Excellence 2017
Receiving the 2016 WSABE Business of the Year Award (along a few others), has been a truly satisfying experience that has catapulted Sparks+Partners into the spotlight based on genuine hard work, reward and recognition. Sticky Tickets
Recognising Excellence: Entries for the Western Sydney Awards for Business Excellence Open
Covering the 27th annual Western Sydney Awards for Business Excellence, and filling you in on how you can position your business for widespread recognition among the best in the west. By Gandhi Creations
TWENTY SIXTEEN: A year in review
This is the second edition of our annual review, giving you a light and useful insight into the year that has been and with a focus on our people, capabilities, technologies and projects.
New aged care facility on way
Peninsula Village’s Jack Aldous House is set to be replaced with a $24.5 million 120-bed state-of-the-art aged care facility, pending Central Coast Council approval. By Denice Barnes, Central Coast Gosford Express Advocate
Young firm takes top gong
Winning the two major categories of WSABE in a first attempt at entering any industry awards means a company must be doing a few things right. By Di Bartokm, Western Sydney Business Access (WSBA)
Winners share the spotlight at the WSABE 2016 Gala Night
The 26th Annual Western Sydney Awards for Business Excellence (WSABE) was certainly a night of nights with close to 500 guests celebrating the success of a diverse range of businesses. By Michael Walls, Western Sydney Business Access (WSBA)
Sparks+Partners are ISO 9001:2015 ready
During 2015 Sparks+Partners successfully underwent the rigorous ISO 9000 review process. We’re proud to announce we have achieved certification for another five years.
TWENTY FIFTEEN: A year in review
This is our new look book, designed to give our clients a light and useful insight into the year that has been. Focused on our people, capabilities, technologies and project achievements.
January 30, 2015
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