International Convention Centre, Sydney

The International Convention Centre (ICC) at Darling Harbour, Sydney was completed in 2016. Spread over 250,000 sq. m, the venue has been promoted as being a ‘new global benchmark’ and an important landmark representative of Sydney’s ongoing transformation.

The building was designed by joint venture partners HASSELL and Populous, who drew on the characteristics and history of the Cockle Bay location for inspiration, in particular with the crystalline glass façade.

The ICC Sydney precinct includes:

• A convention facility capable of holding three concurrent events of up to 2,500 delegates.
• An exhibition capacity of 35,000 sq. m.
• A flexible entertainment theatre with a seated capacity of 8,000.
• An external event deck of 5,000 sq. m featuring spectacular city views.
• The largest ballroom in Australia, with banqueting space for up to 2,000 or 3,500 in cocktail mode.
• 8,000 sq. m of meeting room space across 70 rooms.

The Grand Ballroom reflects its waterfront location, with the use of a cool blue and grey palette, complementing the crisp pearlescent white porcelain façade and ceiling.

A ceiling of sculpted mirror polished blades reflects the colours and activity below.

HASSELL Fellow and Project Design Director, Ken Maher said:

“I think architecture has a role, if not a responsibility, particularly in a project of this size, to think beyond the project itself to bring a whole new dynamic quality and reputation to the broader city, and that’s what this project will do, perhaps more than any other project in the last generation.

“Convention and exhibition buildings have a tendency to be introverted by their very nature, but we worked to ensure that the line between the outside and the inside was blurred – so visitors coming to any of the venues could engage with the natural and built beauty of this city.

“The NSW Government’s goal was to have the best convention and exhibition centre in the world and they’ve certainly got it.”

Content and images courtesy of HASSELL.

Images © Guy Wilkinson

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