FJC Studio appointed for Campbelltown Arts Centre expansion

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Campbelltown City Council in New South Wales has announced the appointment of FJC Studio as principal design consultant on the $85 million expansion of its arts centre, originally opened in 2005 to a design by Tanner Kibble Denton (TKD) Architects.

A media release from the council notes that the firm's approach will involve extensive stakeholder engagement to inform the concept designs, which will look to the local landscape and culture to strengthen the site's visual and physical interaction with its surrounds.

"FJC Studio's vision for Campbelltown Arts Centre expansion will draw inspiration from the Dharawal landscape and culture, with a design that will seek to deepen connection to Country through spaces that foster cultural exchange, storytelling, and shared understanding," the council's release notes. "This approach aims to enrich the visitor journey, shaping how people move through and experience the space."

According to the council's communique, the redevelopment reflects their vision to secure "Campbelltown Arts Centre's position as a strong leader in the Western Sydney arts ecology."

Mayor of Campbelltown Darcy Lound said that the centre's expansion "will bring a modernised facility that provides more spaces to meet our city's growing needs, including more space for workshops, exhibitions, performances, and events," and in doing so, will serve as "a destination to attract new visitors to our city."

Adopting an approach toward the adaptive reuse of the existing floor plan and repurposing of existing infrastructure to maximise sustainability, FJC's design is set to deliver a new theatre space, additional workshop spaces, artwork storage, new and renovated gallery spaces, artist studios, an expanded cafe, function and conference spaces, and improved accessibility.

Design director at FJC Studio Richard Francis-Jones commented, "This project will be more than a sum of its parts - gallery, theatre, conference and workshops. It will be the Campbelltown community's cultural place, open to everyone to spend time, create and connect."

"We feel privileged to be appointed as architects for this project, knowing that it has been a place that many people have held dear for decades," Francis-Jones added. "We will be working with the council and the community to develop a place that instils pride and a true sense of belonging."

Concept designs are expected to be released later this year, and the project completed in 2029.