Methodology
Through research into site, precedents, and education a basis was developed upon which further analysis could be conducted into the extent to which education currently functions, has historically marginalized communities, and the current theories around it's future. This research has been presented as written knowledge, graphs and mapping, Additional research into adaptive reuse theory and precedents as well as education, library, and landscape precedents occurred in the initial development stages and informed the large scale planning and approach to site.
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The research presented aligns with that most relevant to the final proposal.
History
1879
Tram system opened in Sydney
1770
Captain cook discovers Australia
60,000 AD
Known Aboriginal Occupation
1912
construction started on Turbine Hall, Switch House and Boiler House 1
1976
Second Boiler House demolished
1995
Site decommissioned
1849
Sydney Railway Company started building first railway
line, taken over by the Colonial Government
1885
First public railway line of Sydney to Parramatta Junction
1888
NSW and QLD lines meet
1917
First stage of construction completed and station opened
1926
work began on electrifying Sydney urban railway
1923
Second stage of construction commenced
1950
Electricity Commission of NSW established
1951
First half of Boiler House completed replacing original
1961
Tram system in Sydney closed
1997
Trams re-introduced as a light rail system
2000
SHFA buys WBPS from Pacific Power
Site used for various events and fucntions
2004
Site no longer available to public due to health concerns
2010
WBPS cleared of debris
2011
Community open days
2019
Tram line to Randwick opened
2020
Tram line to Kingsford opened
2021
Overflow proposed
Tracking the history of the site allowed me to consider how it has survived throughout the years, understand it's larger network and importance within Sydney and greater Sydney to consider how it might best be revitalized.
The use of the site after decommission as a community space, holding tours, and using the industrial backdrop for fashion shows and small installations shows a want for the community to engage in the building. For this reason, this existing fabric is maintained to continue this community interest in the building, layering on top the proposed spaces and functions to add to this interest and allow the space to become more than just a visual landmark representing Rozelle.
Cultural centres
PowerHouses
Mapping of Power Stations and Cultural Centres
Through mapping the historical locations of power stations that were a part of the energy network of NSW and comparing this the current cultural network, an understanding of how this statewide connection could become cultural rather than electrical allows the past to inform the future of WBPS. In this way, informal learning becomes part of an existing network of education that revitalizes the energy distribution system which historically functioned in alignment with WBPS.
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The mapping of cultural centres within NSW aided in understanding how the function of informal education fits within a cultural network as well as an educational one. Changing the perception of education, allowing it to move toward a more continual and lifelong function within community and individuals lives.
What's important about Power Stations?
Alongside this, an understanding of the morphology of the site and its significance to the typology was analyzed to discover that the key elements consistent among power stations are their scale, the stacks and the facilities present. While many other elements of the design are distinctly influenced by the architectural movements of the time. Meaning that every power station can be seen to have a significance not present in other examples. In this way, the adaptive reuse of other power stations in NSW can be understood in context and make sense of the varying uses and designs applied to them. The faults of these designs acted to influence the way the interior would begin to take form, especially for circulation and informed movement, In those sites analysed they either had confusing circulation with no clear movement paths through exhibitions or clear paths with no room for individual exploration.
Powerhouse Museum
The whole space has been used in one way or another with varying changing displays throughout. A different feel is created in each space with an overwhelming amount of black used in transition spaces and light then overlaid to draw people through the space.
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One key aspect of the site, purposeful or not, is the unclear circulation throughout the space. With multiple modes of circulating within the building and no clear suggested route, the viewer can get lost within the building and go past the same exhibits multiple times just to find the one they haven’t yet seen yet.
Penrith Museum of Fire
A newer build of a power station, the Penrith Museum of Fire is a community relevant space that provides a wide range of knowledge around fire safety and history.
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Unlike the Powerhouse Museum, Penrith has a very clear and delineated path throughout the majority of the site, with the displays forming walls that direct movement. Alongside this, displays are numbered, arrows are placed on the floor, and various exhibits are grouped together to create different numbered elements of the whole circulation route.
Casula Powerhouse Arts Museum
Casula is a multi-purpose building that includes gallery spaces of various scales, a theatre performance space, the Turbine Hall, Artists’ Studio, Kids Studio, Bellbird Awning and outdoor spaces. All these venues are used for various creative showcases but can also be hired for other functions.
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The powerhouse is similar in size to Penrith, though slightly larger but has managed to include far more functions within the small space allowing it to be a more multi-functional and relevant space for the community.
Age
Level of Highest Educational Attainment
Education of Those Studying
Language Spoken at Home
Employment
Hours Worked Per Week
Family Types
Internet Connection
Demographic research is important to make sense of who will be using the site, gives context to the facilities required, opening hours, languages needed, and any unique accessibility requirements. Through research into both Rozelle and Balmain statistics, a greater understanding of the site and the wider community was gained. This larger research pool was significant as through creating a site with a modern and new function, the interest and use of the site might be wider than if it was a more generic cultural space.
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The demographics revealed a relatively wide age range, varying levels of education, high access to the internet, long work hours, varied family types, and a larger range of languages spoken within the Balmain area specifically. This means the space does not have a specific user type and instead will have a large range of users over the course of the day. Longer opening hours would be expected, with the digital realm, providing further access to the site for those working long hours.
Through understanding the site's history as part of a generating network, core to the function of NSW, Overflow re-inserts forms where the boilers once were. This aims to give an accurate reading of the site and allow this network of generation be re-visualized through connecting informal learning to the cultural and education networks of NSW.
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