The Museum is currently under construction
The Museum is currently undergoing an exciting new revitalisation program. This means you will soon enjoy a new public forecourt, street-side cafe, gift shop plus a new gallery for international exhibitions. During this time you may notice some construction in the Museum. We apologise for any inconvenience.




Friday update 18 May 2012

Published on May 18, 2012 0 Comments

External work on the forecourt

  • Glass balustrades on stairway  – work continues
  • Harris Streetsteps – levelling to be completed this week
  • Installation of hand rails and lighting – hand rails have been installed.  Installation of light fittings in the hand rails – date to be confirmed.
  • Tactiles and nozing strips – will continue to be installed
  • Paving – ongoing work to level pavers is continuing
  • Installation of bubbler – date to be confirmed

 Installation of glazing strip and barriers – design is being finalised, estimate work will commence in 2 to 3 weeks time.

 Internal work

Basement work – is completed

 Level 1 – back glass panel to be replaced on visitor lift – date to be confirmed

 Level 2 – (1)  handles and hardware to be installed on new doors in the storage area  (2) back glass panel to be replaced on visitor lift – date to be confirmed. (3) Area to be tidied up.

 Level 3 – wall to be constructed

Level 4 – wall to be removed

Level 5 – work is completed

 Visitors lift – the lift will be closed for a day for thorough cleaning internally and externally.  Dates for this work to be confirmed.

 Defect list – builders are going through the defects list and rectifying any work required.

Fortnightly program 6-20 April 2012

Published on April 5, 2012 Closed

External work

Level 3 forecourt –  Work continuing on the forecourt includes:  levelling of steps and installation of tactiles.    Handrails and glass balustrades will begin to be installed in the week commencing 16 April.   Builders will also generally clean and remove items from the forecourt.

 Internal work

 Level 2 –  installation of new doors continues; area to be cleaned and tidied up

 Level 3 –  continue with patching and paint touch ups

 Level 4 –  Sanding and filing of the balustrades continues.  Top of beam to be painted.

 Level 5 –  Sanding and filing of the balustrades continues.  Top of beam to be painted. 

 Visitors lift – removal of protective coating and cleaning to be undertaken

 Sprinkler heads – installation of ‘fast response sprinkler’ heads continues throughout the Museum.

Friday update – 23 March 2012

Published on March 26, 2012 Closed

This week saw the last of the glass panels installed to the visitor lift.  Trimming and sealing of the lift is underway and directory signage indicating what is on each floor will soon be applied. 

 Over the next two weeks work on the balustrades on levels 3, 4 and 5 will be completed and the landing on level 4 will be opened up.  Due to fire regulations two new exit doors will be installed in the storage area behind the training rooms on level 2.  In addition the Museum has taken the opportunity to enlarge the doorway leading from level 2 out to the courtyard.  These new doors will allow better access and flexibility in transporting large objects into the Museum. 

 Externally the last concrete pour to the steps has been done.  The contractors will continue to level the steps, install tactiles and handrails and relay pavers.  A new gate will also be constructed and installed at the top of the stairway leading onto the Darling Harbour pedestrian walkway.  The intention is to have the majority of the forecourt available for the public to use by the end of March.   The glazing strip that will connect the forecourt to the Switch House building will soon be in fabrication.  Dates for installation of the glazing strip will be confirmed in the near future.

 Ongoing work includes paint touch ups, reinstalling the magna grid, additional lighting of areas and upgrading of the Museum’s sprinkler system with installation of ‘fast response sprinkler heads.

Fortnightly program 24 March to 6 April 2012

Published on March 26, 2012 Closed

External work

Level 3 forecourt –  Work continuing on the forecourt includes:  levelling of steps; installation of pavers along the steps of the Macarthur Street side and installation of tactiles handrails.  Waterproofer will return to undertake more work on Tuesday 27 March.   Builders will also generally clean and remove items from the forecourt.

Internal work

Level 1 –  re-installing magna grid continues

 Level 2 –  continue to reinstall amenities; waterproofing in the storage area; installation of new doors continues

 Level 3 –  continue with patching and paint touch ups.  Handrail installation to ramp will take place on Wednesday.

 Level 4 –  Sanding and filing of the balustrades continues.   Rendering on top of beam to be smoothed out.  Beam to be painted – exact date to be confirmed.

 Level 5 –  Sanding and filing of the balustrades continues.  Rendering on top of beam to be smoothed out – exact date to be confirmed. 

 Visitors lift – installation of trims and sealing continues

 Sprinkler heads – installation of ‘fast response sprinkler’ heads continues throughout the Museum.

April 2012 map and guide

Published on March 12, 2012 Closed

New Entrance

The new look map is now available in the April 2012 map and guide. This map now includes and improved layout more representative of the Museum space post revitialisation work. Be mindful that Workzones are still located in someareas of the Museum.

The guide has also been updated to include information about the new free wi-fi service on offer for Powerhousehouse Museum visitors. In you have a smart phone or tablet device be sure to bring it along to enrich your visitor experience.

For more information, be sure to visit our free wi-fi information page.

Map and guide April 2012 Low Res | PDF 3.0MB
Map and guide April 2012 High Res | PDF 3.5MB

Friday update – 2 March 2012

Published on March 5, 2012 Closed

New glass visitor lift now operational - this lift currently services levels 1 to 3 and when work is finished will also service level 4.  Having a ride in the lift clearly shows the changes that have occurred within the Museum.  In particular visitors now have spectacular views of Turbine House activities including exhibitions and programs.

 Internally much work continues with finalising relocation of services, lighting of areas and patching and paint touch ups.  Recarpeting the Turbine Hall is now complete and this area has been re-opened to the public.  While not part of the Revitalisation project, the Museum took the opportunity of infilling the void in the Boiler Hall mezzanine gallery.  This work also impacted on the Ecologic exhibition below.  The Museum is pleased to report that work in these areas is now complete and the Ecologic exhibition and the mezzanine gallery are re-opened.  New Balustrades have been installed on level 4 and work in the new kitchen on level 5 is completed.

 As part of the Revitalisation process the Museum is also updating its sprinkler system.  Over the upcoming weeks O’Brien Fire Services will be installing ‘fast response sprinkler heads’ throughout the Museum.  While this work is underway in the public galleries the contractors will be cordoned off when undertaking this work.

 Externally work continues on the forecourt: two more concrete pours are required to finish the steps, handrails and tactiles are being installed; and waterproofing and repaving is also continuing.  Wet weather permitting work on the forecourt should be completed in two to three weeks time.

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