Arts Thread

The White Bay Power Station is so large, overwhelming and devoid of Country that it is hard to believe that humans ever inhabited such a place. Can a building like this be considered human? What is our potential? This project embraces human diversity and encourages the idea that variety and difference amongst us is our strength and unlocking and celebrating this is our human potential. What are humans capable of? Is advancement something we should be striving for? Is our drive for success our downfall? This is a centre of potential, challenging our past and suggesting change through the celebration of physical, cultural and neurodiversity. The Wandering: An Open Civic Space A flexible and welcoming space designed to be multifunctional. Wandering performance, a place to meet, study, to sit and eat, to reflect and reconnect. Filled with varying natural sounds emitted from tubes above, the space is adaptable with movable pods for a fully customisable civic space. The Spectacle: A Performance Venue Whilst celebrating the scale of the White Bay Power Station, the performance space aims to create a safe atmosphere for diverse physical and neurodivergent needs. Aimed to hold performances of great physical feats the space is inspired by circus arts, a unique venue to act as a beacon for Sydney. The Runaway: A Sensory Escape Located within the coal hoppers, water is brought inside to act as a nervous system reset. Aimed to calm the mind and connect to Country. The Balancing Act: A Digital Exhibition Located in the old conveyor, the space is transformed into a digital exhibition, narrating the history of the site and the positive and negative stories surrounding the history of circus performance in Australia. The Finale: A Rooftop Restaurant Following the form of the old gabled roof, the new addition reaches towards the sky and places Country at the centre. With a radial layout, guests are encouraged to meet in the centre for shared cultural experiences and storytelling.