New South Wales
Within the rich traditional hunting and fishing grounds of the Burramattagal, the site of the pavilion is just above a once popular swimming spot on the banks of the Parramatta River.
In 2010 Parramatta Park was listed on the UNESCO World Heritage Register. In 2016, the café that occupied the site was largely destroyed by fire. By necessity, the design for the new pavilion grew from what remained of the old café building.
The client’s brief, informed by the potential for any disturbance of significant Aboriginal artifacts, required that we retain and reuse what remained of the building and make no further excavations or site disturbance including provision for any new services or footings.
The challenge set by the Park Trust was to provide a facility meeting 21st century code requirements for new accessible public amenities and a shell for future restaurant/ event space fit-out without digging into the ground.
The design uplifted the building through the integration of an existing section and the newly built portion. An atrium allowed the two sections of the building to harmoniously adjoin.
The contemporary design allowed the structure to nestle within its surroundings. Even with the heritage challenges, the astute design presented a structure that is both aesthetically appealing as well as functional.
As a result, the design allowed the building operator to maximise the functionality and flow of the building, to utilise both portions providing a restaurant space as well as a casual dining and café space for the public.
The Australian Institute of Architects acknowledges First Nations peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the lands, waters, and skies of the continent now called Australia.
We express our gratitude to their Elders and Knowledge Holders whose wisdom, actions and knowledge have kept culture alive.
We recognise First Nations peoples as the first architects and builders. We appreciate their continuing work on Country from pre-invasion times to contemporary First Nations architects, and respect their rights to continue to care for Country.
