Image: The Gunnery heritage building in Woolloomooloo. Image: JPA&D
by GRACE JOHNSON
The historic Gunnery warehouse at Woolloomooloo has re-opened as a contemporary art and cultural space that will support both established and emerging artists.
A heritage-listed historic site, The Gunnery was built in c.1900 as a bulk store for the Sydney Morning Herald. But during World War II, the Commonwealth Government took over the building for defence purposes. The Royal Australian Navy then used it as a gunnery and instructional centre for trainees to practise their gunning skills.
Since 1993, it has been home to Artspace, one of the leading institutions for the production and presentation of contemporary art in the Asia-Pacific.
Now, after three years and $19.2 million worth of innovations, Artspace can return to its home.
Minister for the Arts John Graham said, “The Gunnery has played a number of significant roles in Sydney’s cultural history – as a bond warehouse for the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper; a naval gun training facility during the Second World War and for the past 35 years it has been a home for artists. It has housed some of NSW’s most significant arts organisations, and run an important artist residency program.”
“Now with Artspace as the sole permanent resident, and an extensive artist residency and exhibition program it is firmly positioned as an integrated and holistic space for the development, production and presentation of contemporary art.”
With the re-opening comes a residency program, which will see ten artists take up residence in the studios every year during Artspace’s 35-year lease.
“The residency program will nurture hundreds of artists within this collaborative and supportive space, while the gallery, learning and public spaces will bring audiences in their thousands to experience many beautiful, thought-provoking exhibitions and presentations,” said Mr Graham.
The extensive transformation of The Gunnery includes expanded gallery spaces over three floors, ten artist studios, a 250 square metres of multi-purpose space, an accessible archive, offices and new facilities for learning, performance, and public programs.
“This reimagined space promises to remain an important home for artists and creativity – shaping careers of artists and enrich the cultural life of NSW for generations to come,” said the arts minister.
Adapted heritage
In the transformation process, many of the building’s original heritage features have been restored, with brickwork and structural elements retained.
While these historical features have been kept, the heritage building has been modernised with renewable energy and full accessibility.
Ashley Dunn, the Principal Architect of DunnHillam, said “The adaptive re-use of heritage buildings is a challenge we thoroughly enjoy – we like to see heritage buildings live on, with contemporary uses adding meaning and stories to those that are already part of a place.”
“Our architectural ambitions were to reveal the nature and beauty of the original structure, to facilitate flexible and diverse art curation practices and to make a welcoming building for visitors from around the corner and from around the world.”
“One of the architectural interventions we are most proud of is a simple one –reinstating the old front door, bringing the entry back to the public plaza and creating great opportunities for the life of the art gallery to connect with the life of the street.”
