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
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
Government responds to the final Grenfell Inquiry report
A with a brief summary with reactions to their response.
A brief description and background to this new February law.
Everything you need to know about building conservation and the historic environment.
NFCC publishes Industry White Paper on Remediation
Calling for a coordinated approach and cross-departmental Construction Skills Strategy to manage workforce development.
'who blames whom and for what, and there are three reasons for doing that: legal , cultural and moral"
How the Home Energy Model will be different from SAP
Comparing different building energy models.
Mapping approaches for standardisation.
UK Construction contract spending up at the start of 2025
New construction orders increase by 69 percent on December.
Preparing for the future: how specifiers can lead the way
As the construction industry prepares for the updated home and building efficiency standards.
Embodied Carbon in the Built Environment
A practical guide for built environment professionals.
Updating the minimum energy efficiency standards
Background and key points to the current consultation.
Heritage building skills and live-site training.
Shortage of high-quality data threatening the AI boom
And other fundamental issues highlighted by the Open Data Institute.
Data centres top the list of growth opportunities
In robust, yet heterogenous world BACS market.
Increased funding for BSR announced
Within plans for next generation of new towns.