NH Architecture to design revamp of Canberra’s Kingston Arts Precinct

The ACT government's Suburban Land Agency and Arts ACT have appointed NH Architecture as the principal design team for the redevelopment of Kingston Arts Precinct, following the completion of the Place Brief for the project.

The redevelopment aims to transform the precinct into a "world-class" culture and visual arts destination for Canberra.

The project will create retail spaces, accommodations for artists in residence, a series of new buildings for arts organizations and an open events space. It will also leverage the site's existing heritage assets.

Kingston Arts Precinct occupies the site of the former Powerhouse, which was among the first permanent buildings in Canberra and was completed in 1915. The Fitters' Workshop was completed the following year. The Powerhouse was decommissioned in 1957; in 1997, the ACT government ran an ideas competition for the redevelopment of the Kingston foreshore. The competition was won by architect Colin Stewart, and in 2007, the Powerhouse was transformed into the Canberra Glassworks, creating the first stage of what is now the arts precinct.

Previously, the ACT government had contracted Geocon to redevelop the precinct. In 2019, a $750 million plan designed by Fender Katsalidis and Oculus was unveiled but subsequently stagnated, and the government announced in November 2021 that the Suburban Land Agency would take over the project.

The redeveloped precinct will prioritize the local Ngunnawal culture as the central focus of site's artistic, cultural and creative opportunities. It will bring together new Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts, Canberra Contemporary Arts Space, Canberra Glassworks, Craft ACT: Craft and Design Centre, M16 Arts Space, Megan Print Studio and PhotoAccess.

The precinct will also integrate art with the building and landscape designs and host temporary installations to activate the site during construction.

"The Place Brief guides the SLA and Arts ACT, architects, landscape architects and urban designers in preparing the detailed design proposals for the precinct," said ACT chief minister Andrew Barr.

"Over the next 12 months, the project team will develop a concept design for the new subdivision and arts buildings. Further engagement with the community and arts organizations will take place through different stages of the design to prepare submissions for formal approvals that will permit construction to commence."