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, visitor service as well as a new library with a dedicated children’s section, maker space, tech labs and sound studios.
“Parramatta’s dazzling new building has been years in the making, and we are so delighted Phive is now open for everyone to enjoy,” said lord mayor of Parramatta Donna Davis. “This space has been designed with and for our communities in mind – to connect, collaborate and enjoy cultural experiences.”
The French-Australian consortium of architects won a design excellence competition for the building in 2016.
Their “unique and spectacular” design called for a glass building with a wave-like facade as a backdrop for public art projects. The final design has evolved into a striking roof made with 549 unique tessellated panels. Internally, the colour scheme is inspired by Australian flora.
The building includes a ventilation system that responds to weather conditions as well as other sustainability measures that would allow it to one day be net zero carbon
“It’s important we have accessible, state-of-the-art facilities to support people who live, work, study or visit Parramatta,” Davis said.
Source: Long-awaited Parramatta civic hub opens – architectureau.com
