Site Design

Internationally renowned Sydney architects Hassell have developed the design concept for the Blue Mountains Cultural Centre.

Leading Sydney architect and Hassell Chairman, Ken Maher said the design concept is inspired by the form and materials of the special landscape of the heritage region.

The design statement outlined:
The location of the site near the top of the hill on Parke Street (see sitemap below) offers a unique opportunity to create a dramatic elevated platform that focuses on and accentuates the outstanding setting of the World Heritage Mountains.
Our design concept is inspired by the form and materials of this special landscape.
Gently vaulted and delicate roofs respect the undulating forms of the mountain ranges, and emphasise the directional nature of the views. The repetition of the roof forms gives a unity to the architecture, and reinforces the motif of vaults and arches found in some of Katoomba's significant historic buildings.
A central public space provides a focus for the various public facilities on the site, and allows the display of art within the dramatic setting of the surrounding landscape.
The Cultural Centre with its regional City Art Gallery, World Heritage Interpretive Centre, Theatrette and Café and the new Katoomba Library, are all accessible from this central square which is also linked by various routes back to Katoomba Street.
The colour and pattern selected for the external walls will reflect the character of the sandstone cliffs characteristic of the Blue Mountains landscape.
The design is open and welcoming, with generous provision of open space providing enhancement to the important cultural facilities.
A strong and singular character is intended for the whole of the Cultural Centre to ensure it has a strong presence as a significant civic and public place within the Blue Mountains.

BlueMountainsCulturalCentreSitemap.pdf (156kb)

Cultural Centre

Blue Mountains Cultural Centre

The Blue Mountains Cultural Centre comprises the City Art Gallery, the World Heritage Interpetive Centre, theatrette/seminar room, workshop space.
(see podium level plan below)
The Blue Mountains Cultural Centre, housing the City’s Art Gallery and the World Heritage Interpretive Centre was endorsed by Council in June 1998. The TAFE East site in the Katoomba CBD was confirmed as the location for the Centre at the Katoomba Charrette consultations. The State Government was willing to hold its sale so that the Cultural Centre could be a part of the mixed use development. Council undertook further extensive consultation with the community and visitors during 1999 resulting in an initial funding commitment from the State Government of $4.8m toward the establishment of the Cultural Centre as a cultural hub for the Blue Mountains. Council and the State Government considered a number of options and negotiated with the preferred developer over a number of years to achieve the Cultural Centre project. In 2004 Council included the development of a new Katoomba Library and allocated capital funds toward the project. The Option Deed between the parties (the NSW government, Council and the (now) Coles Group) was signed in December 2005. The reclassification and rezoning of the site was gazetted in May 2006. This signalled the project commencement. The initial design concepts were further evolved during 1996 incorporating community feedback. The developed design and costings agreement phase has been completed and the developer submitted the DA in August 2007.

PodiumLevelPlan.pdf (111kb)

Library

The new public library, which will be co-located with the Blue Mountains Cultural Centre, will be twice the size of the previous Katoomba library and will form an important hub at the heart of the precinct.

Some features of the new library design include:
An open library with approximately twice the space of the current library.
Two levels, with the upper level overlooking the entry foyer and library court.
Opportunity to better display the library collection and have areas to lounge.
Spaces for computer based terminals and meeting/teaching rooms.
A shared foyer with the Cultural Centre.
Aspects that take advantage of the exceptional views to the south and southwest.
Access onto a sunny library court yard.
Over 145,000 visits currently to the library, which could rise with the new library to over 180,000.
Flexibility in the configuration and use of the court and other spaces and facilities adjacent to the Cultural Centre.
Full disabled access.
Extensive use of natural light to within the building.
Direct lift access from the carpark levels below.
Library space will increase from 400m2 to 870m2.

Civic Centre

The project will provide a revitalised Civic Centre with better community facilities and public space and upgraded retail space.

Pedestrian Linkages

Existing linkages and new connections will be created between the site and Katoomba Street.

Time-line

A development application was lodged by the developers in August 2007 and the development on the former Katoomba TAFE East site is estimated to be completed in 2011, with the Blue Mountains Cultural Centre opening in late 2011 at this stage.

News

Public Open Day

Around 250 people attended the Coles Group open days for the public.
Around 250 people attended the Coles Group open days for the public to view plans for the proposed Parke Street Development, consisting of the Blue Mountains Cultural Centre and Coles retail centre, held on August 31 and September 1, 2007. The information sessions were held on site in the former RTA building at 30 Parke Street, Katoomba.