curved brick façade links gallery, performance hall + garden in sydney's phoenix central park

located in sydney’s chippendale area, ‘phoenix central park’ is a multifaceted project combining an art gallery, performance hall and central garden. a collaborative piece of work, the building is envisioned by arts philanthropist judith neilson, and materialized by john wardle architects, who designed the gallery, and durbach block jaggers, who is responsible for the performance space. a curved brick façade binds all elements together, while two overlapping circular windows bring glimpses of the exterior streetscape inside the building.images by martin siegner, trevor mein, kien van young, tom ferguson and julia charles

john wardle architects and durbach block jaggers have worked together to bring judith neilson‘s vision of multipurpose artistic hub to life. ‘phoenix central park’ combines spaces for visual and performing arts, that together offer an immersive total experience for visitors. the intimate performance space and art gallery are accessed though and linked by the central courtyard and garden, which mark the heart of the project. the buildings and gardens are intersect at many levels, above and below ground, blending together performance, nature and art.

john wardle architects has designed the gallery with a minimal material palette of concrete and timber, which provides a setting that art works can engage with. at the same time, durbach block jaggers has developed the performance space as a singular bell-shaped clearing made by stepped and contoured timber ribs. above, a meeting space for artists and its companion garden courtyard are modelled in brightness and whiteness, capturing unexpected planting, local vignettes and sky views.

the exterior of ‘phoenix central park’ is clad in a brick façade that acts as a binding element of the overall building. the bricks themselves are unusually long and flat, akin to a stacked stone and emphasising the mortar joints. a thin layer of mortar has been washed over the bricks, exaggerating the continuity of surface. the exterior is dimpled, twisted, cut and vaulted around openings, blending where inside and outside worlds meet.

‘the co-authored project has been guided by open discussion by both architectural firms,’ notes durbach block jaggers. ‘the project is perhaps a more compelling proposition for the input and insight of the other. this idea seems to echo the primary intention of phoenix central park: to be an artistic hub where visual and performing arts are in constant dialogue with one another.’