Powerhouse Parramatta opens this weekend – and it’s dazzling inside and out

Powerhouse Parramatta, a $915m museum with a striking steel lattice exterior, opens to the public on Saturday. Its launch is a major cultural moment for western Sydney, but the project has faced criticism over its cost, governance and perceived effect on the Ultimo museum and the institution’s focus.

The new venue spans 30,000 square metres and contains five opening exhibitions, with more than 1,600 objects from the museum’s collection alongside loans and commissioned works. Its design includes exhibition spaces up to 18 metres high, and a 23-day opening festival will feature performances, talks and workshops, with 65% of the programme free.