Torpedo Factory Adaptive Re-use - Sub-Base Platypus

Client Sydney Harbour Trust

Location Neutral Bay, Sydney Harbour

Sub Base Platypus, formerly HMAS Platypus, an Australian Navy submarine base used extensively in World War 2, is located in Neutral Bay, Sydney Harbour. Since 2005 the site has been subject to redevelopment that has created a significant public waterfront park that celebrates the site’s industrial heritage and interprets both indigenous and site specific Naval Military history. The redevelopment and reuse of the existing industrial Torpedo Factory building is the final stage. It creates a distinctive foreshore parkland that enables the multi-layered history of the site to be visible for the community to enjoy.
The Torpedo Factory Building redevelopment and waterfront park is an important piece of public architecture that celebrates the site’s history and offers a world class waterfront experience in Sydney. Our team developed a design that is sensitive to the existing buildings, the industrial history of the site, and the indigenous heritage of this area. The project has been designed in consideration of the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust’s Comprehensive Plan and Management Plan and addresses the relationships to the other precinct facilities and infrastructure as completed in previous stages of the overall project. The finished project establishes an exemplar facility and public space with a unique identity that celebrates the place, heritage and community.

The following objectives underpin the vision of the finished Torpedo Factory Redevelopment:

• Completed renewal works for Sub Base Platypus by providing significant public domain benefit, celebrating all phases of the site’s history
• Reduced building volume creating a new landscape green space that is natural and embraces the waterfront
• Retention and adaptive reuse of the built form of the Torpedo Factory saw-tooth roof as a key heritage element of the site and also provides opportunity for  significant power generation and stormwater collection
• Carparking provided within the Torpedo Factory building enables visitors to access the site; and
• The creation of a new pavilion overlooking Neutral Bay that serves two broad functions:
  • a multi-purpose venue / community space to accommodate a variety of low impact small functions, meetings, exhibitions etc, and
  • a display of historical content that focuses on the industrial phase and personal submariner story of the site, and also reflects the indigenous heritage.