Powerhouse Parramatta 2026: Steel-Lattice Museum Opens
Powerhouse Parramatta in Sydney opens November 7, 2026, spanning 18,000+ sqm with inaugural installations by Es Devlin and James Turrell.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Powerhouse Parramatta opens November 7, 2026, as New South Wales' largest museum.
- Features a striking white steel exoskeleton designed by Moreau Kusunoki and Genton.
- Hosts five inaugural exhibitions including immersive works by Es Devlin and James Turrell.
- Spans over 18,000 sqm with 3,000+ objects and a 23-day opening festival.
Powerhouse Parramatta, the new museum designed by French and Japanese architecture studio Moreau Kusunoki alongside Australian practice Genton, is scheduled to officially open to the public on November 7, 2026. Following years of construction along the Parramatta River in Sydney, Australia, the monumental cultural building with its distinctive lattice facade is ready to welcome its first visitors with five inaugural exhibitions, featuring immersive installations by Es Devlin and James Turrell.
The opening marks a major milestone for Western Sydney, bringing the region its first state cultural institution and the largest museum ever built in New South Wales. Covering more than 18,000 square meters of public and exhibition space, the building serves as a new home for the Powerhouse collections spanning art, design, science, and technology. More than 3,000 objects will be presented across the opening exhibitions, including a presentation designed in collaboration with OMA/AMO.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
The museum's signature white steel exoskeleton establishes a striking architectural presence along the Parramatta River. Designed by Moreau Kusunoki and Genton, the structure comprises two large volumes enclosed within an outward-facing framework that allows for expansive, column-free interiors. This flexibility lets the museum accommodate installations of varying scales. Beyond the galleries, the project introduces new waterfront public spaces, including a landscaped square, a rooftop garden, an observatory, and educational facilities.
The opening of Powerhouse Parramatta represents one of Australia's most significant cultural investments in recent years. The choice of a steel lattice exoskeleton not only provides column-free spatial flexibility but also exemplifies structural expressionism in contemporary public architecture. By commissioning globally renowned artists like Es Devlin and James Turrell, the institution positions Sydney as a premier destination for large-scale immersive art installations.
Among the opening highlights is The Turning, the first major Australian exhibition by British artist Es Devlin. Known for her large-scale stage designs and installations, Devlin brings together five works examining human perception, collective memory, and nature. Key works include Forest of Us, a mirrored labyrinth drawing parallels between human lung branching and trees, and Memory Palace, a 3D landscape tracing 75,000 years of human history. Another interactive piece, Collective Portrait, invites visitors to draw portraits of complete strangers.
American artist James Turrell contributes a monumental light installation titled Shangri La (Over The Hump) as part of Task Eternal, an exhibition exploring humanity's fascination with flight and space. Additional inaugural presentations include The Mall, developed with OMA/AMO to examine shopping center history; Overflow, a First Nations-led water-focused exhibition; and an immersive children's show titled The Dark. The public opening kicks off a 23-day festival featuring performances, workshops, and conversations.
Source: designboom
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