Locomotive Workshop has received a Heritage Commendation and a Commercial Commendation at the 2023 NSW Architecture Awards, which celebrate design excellence in architecture across the state.
Sissons Architects with Buchan and Mirvac Design, and Curio Projects, collaborated to transform Locomotive Workshop from an Industrial-era building into a captivating multi-use commercial and community precinct that honours the site’s rich history.
COMMENDATION FOR HERITAGE – CREATIVE ADAPTION
“For over 100 years the Locomotive Workshop precinct was the engine room for Australia’s rail network, pioneering technology, and advances in industry. Using a deceptively simple architectural strategy, and exacting execution, the precinct has been elevated back to its former status as a technology powerhouse. The Workshops have become a place for organisations of all shapes and sizes to find common ground to collaborate on the jobs and industries of the future. Interpretive museum pieces are thoughtfully integrated throughout.” – Jury Citation
COMMENDATION FOR COMMERCIAL ARCHITECTURE
“Housing new commercial and retail facilities, the adaptive reuse of this former workshop rescues and showcases its original industrial character and structure. An accretion of unsympathetic additions and barriers has been removed to celebrate the shed’s immense volume, almost the size of 4 football fields, and doors have been thrown open to reintegrate its life with the surrounding neighbourhood.
New interventions enable reversibility, are differentiated, and respectfully inserted within the rhythm of structure and sawtooth bays, flooded with natural light. The renewed central axis presents a long vista flanked by new uses, and 100 years of ‘makers’ occupations represented through interpretation, adding to the revitalisation of the South Eveleigh precinct.” – Jury Citation
Thank you to our client Mirvac, our Buchan project team and our collaboration partners Sissons Architects, Mirvac Design and Curio Projects.
Congratulations to all the finalists and winners in the awards this year.
Project: South Eveleigh Locomotive Workshop, Gadigal Land
Client: Mirvac
Design and Delivery: Sissons Architects with Buchan and Mirvac Design
Project Heritage Specialist/ interpretation: Curio Projects
Photography: Brett Boardman, Simon Whitbread
