Powerhouse Parramatta is the first major museum purpose-built in Western Sydney. Its large, flexible gallery spaces are designed to host world-class exhibitions and big installations, which puts unusual demands on how the building is accessed and how artworks are handled.
The challenge
A museum like this has two access problems at once: the façade has to be maintained like any large building, and the galleries need a safe way to suspend, move and service large-scale artworks. Both had to be engineered into the building, and a good deal of the construction-stage work sat in places other trades could not easily reach.
What we delivered
Karabiner designed, supplied and installed two customised building maintenance units suited to the museum's form and extensive façade. We also installed a BOMAC rail system to support the safe suspension, movement and maintenance of large artworks inside the galleries, giving curators flexibility for future exhibitions. During construction our rope access crews completed additional scopes across structural and façade elements and waterproofing, working independently and alongside other major subcontractors where the work could not be reached by other means.
The result
The museum has permanent access for both façade maintenance and exhibition rigging, and the trickier construction-stage work was completed safely and to a high standard. Planning a building with special access needs? Talk to our team.
