At $84.6 million, the expansion of the Campbelltown arts centre will cost almost double the official estimate for the controversial Billabong project, located directly across the road.
The NSW Government will provide $79m of the funding through Western Sydney infrastructure grants program, with Campbelltown Council chipping in $5.6m. The project’s estimated completion date is 2029.
Today council have revealed leading Australian architects fjcstudio have been appointed as principal design consultant for the project.
The $84.6 million will deliver a new theatre space, additional workshop spaces, dedicated storage for artwork, new and enhanced gallery spaces, artist studios, expansion of the café, hireable function and conference spaces, and improvements to accessibility and the building’s connection to the city centre.
The design approach will also consider adaptive reuses of the existing floorplan and incorporate and repurpose existing infrastructure to maximise sustainability.
Fjcstudio are renowned for their innovative and sustainable architecture, having delivered award winning major projects around the globe.
They have received the prestigious World Building of the Year award twice, most recently for Darlington Public School and previously for Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki in New Zealand.
“We are so delighted to have been selected to deliver the revitalisation of Campbelltown Arts Centre,’’ says Richard Francis-Jones, design director at fjcstudios.
“Cultural and community buildings are the core of our practice, and we are dedicated to excellence in the design of these buildings because of their community reach and great public benefit,” he said
“This project will be more than a sum of its parts – gallery, theatre, conference and workshops.
“It will be the Campbelltown community’s cultural place, open to everyone to spend time, create and connect.
“We feel privileged to be appointed as architects for this project, knowing that it has been a place that many people have held dear for decades.
“We will be working with the council and the community to develop a place that instils pride and a true sense of belonging,’’ Mr Francis-Jones said.
Campbelltown Council says the project aligns with its vision to build on Campbelltown Arts Centre’s position as a strong leader in the Western Sydney arts ecology.
“This project is a major investment in the future of arts and culture in Campbelltown, expanding our ability to bring high-quality programming to our city and the region, and ensuring our community have access to arts and culture close to home,” Mayor of Campbelltown, Darcy Lound said.
“The expansion of Campbelltown Arts Centre will bring a modernised facility that provides more spaces to meet our city’s growing needs, including more space for workshops, exhibitions, performances, and events,” he said.
“Appointing fjcstudio as the lead architect is an exciting milestone for this project and I’m incredibility excited to witness an investment of this magnitude in our city progress, which will solidify Campbelltown’s position and achieve lasting impact in the arts and cultural space.”
Greg Warren, the member for Campbelltown, and parliamentary secretary to the deputy premier, education and early learning, and Western Sydney, welcomed the project.
“Campbelltown Arts Centre is an iconic facility that is much loved in our community,’’ he said.
“The connection to our local landscape and culture will continue to further elevate the standing of this facility in the Campbelltown and broader Western Sydney region.’’
For more information, visit: https://www.campbelltown.nsw.gov.au/City-Improvements/WICR-0983-Campbelltown-Arts-Centre-Expansion
