Powerhouse Parramatta is Western Sydney’s first state cultural institution and largest museum ever built in New South Wales - driving jobs, tourism and an economic boost to Western Sydney.
The NSW Government has delivered Powerhouse Parramatta, one of the most significant structural engineering and architecturally complex projects in Australia.
Located on Dharug land, the 18,000sqm museum features a distinctive exoskeleton, large column-free exhibition spaces, and world-class facilities including a rooftop terrace and garden.
Completed by Lendlease in April 2026, the project involved over 4,000 workers and 2.7 million hours of work. Work is now focused on installing exhibitions across the museum, as well as completing the final public domain area.
The museum is set to open later this year.
Find opening hours, events, programs and visitor information.
Workforce
Over 4,000 workers contributed 2.7 million hours.
Three-quarters of workforce from Western Sydney.
Over $329M in contracts awarded to Western Sydney businesses.
Over $13M invested in First Nations suppliers.
First Nations employment double the project target.
Women made up 11.5% of workforce, exceeding the national average for women in trades.
Fun facts
12,000 tonnes of structural steel – 3x Allianz Stadium
Over 13,000sqm external glass façade – surface area equal to 33 tennis courts
Over 147,000 nuts, bolts and washers installed – approx. 1 fastener for every 2 Parramatta residents
Used the world’s largest capacity tower crane (330 tonne lift capacity)
35,000 tonnes of soil removed – approx. 14 Olympic pools
230 piles poured – matching the length of the Cross City Tunnel (2.1km)
The exoskeleton is the building’s external structural frame and distinctive feature of the Powerhouse Parramatta design.
Made from over 1,300 individual pieces, the W, X, N and A shaped pieces range from 4m to 20m in height.
This unique architectural feature:
The façades of Powerhouse Paramatta blend form and function. Behind the exoskeleton, the façade exists in 2 forms:
The museum's glazed windows ensures exhibition spaces are separated from the light. The northern elevations of the eastern and western buildings feature glazed elements which provide ample access to natural sunlight in pedestrian areas.
Powerhouse Parramatta's 2 wings are joined by a glazed 2-storey link bridge, anchoring the building to the city grid.
The glass panels are also designed to be self-cleaning, with a hydrophobic coating to help repel dirt and pollutants.
Powerhouse Parramatta is the first public building in Australia, and the first project in Western Sydney, to be assessed as a 6 Star Designed project under the Green Building Council of Australia’s new Green Star Buildings assessment tool.
Construction of Powerhouse Parramatta will be certified Climate Active Carbon Neutral.
Key sustainability initiatives include:
When open, the museum will be highly energy efficient, all-electric and operating on 100% renewable electricity, aiming to be climate positive under the Green Star Buildings V1 Climate Positive Pathway.
Construction notifications and main works management plans for the project can be accessed via the Document Library.
For any construction-related questions, feedback or complaints:
For future programming and opening enquiries, visit the Powerhouse website.