New South Wales
“a flow that carries and continues, foundations that record and remember; a place which brings all together” Lucy Simpson
The Parry Park Pavilions are part of an ongoing exploration of how architects can practise ethically through design. Parry Park, like many sites in Western Sydney, was a place of early colonial invasion of Dhurug Country. Today, the place is a contaminated floodplain, so honouring and repairing Country through collecting and restoring water became a focus for the project. The pavilion’s oversized gutters, detached downpipes, bespoke wash basin and blue glazed bricks celebrate the important role water plays in repairing Country. Sitting opposite each other, the pavilions are illuminated at night, the glowing polycarbonate facade offering a way through the park. Yuwaalaraay woman and artist Lucy Simpson’s water sculpture, Rise, sits between the pavilions, where the erosion of the artwork’s stone and concrete continues the story on Country.
The architects worked with a tight time frame and budget and have successfully delivered a project that responds to a site with challenging conditions and constraints. The project exhibits design excellence by pursuing sustainability, material sensitivity and incorporating a cultural brief and artwork with Lucy Simpson. By collaborating closely with the landscape team, this sensitive small scale intervention compliments the park’s landscape and the playful elements emphasis the adjacent playground. The pavilions are an important component to the overall design of Parry Park, and the careful selection of robust materials has ensured the community make great use of the facilities.
The Australian Institute of Architects acknowledges First Nations peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the lands, waters, and skies of the continent now called Australia.
We express our gratitude to their Elders and Knowledge Holders whose wisdom, actions and knowledge have kept culture alive.
We recognise First Nations peoples as the first architects and builders. We appreciate their continuing work on Country from pre-invasion times to contemporary First Nations architects, and respect their rights to continue to care for Country.
