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The dark, solid tower rises with a formidable monolithic presence, embodying strength and endurance amidst the landscape. Visitors traverse a layered journey through water—approaching above, moving alongside, and descending below its surface to enter. This path emphasizes water’s enduring flow, with the tower as both sentinel and sanctuary for its concealed currents.

(in)VISIBLE WATERS

(in)VISIBLE WATERS is a Water Advocacy Centre that reveals and reclaims the hidden waters of Sydney’s Alexandra Canal. Its half-solid, half-scaffolded design embodies both industrial suppression and transparency as water ascends through a visible, multi-stage filtration system, transforming from pollution to purity. Each floor offers immersive experiences, engaging visitors with water’s resilience and its vital cultural and ecological role in urban life. Positioned where Sheas Creek meets the canal, the tower’s vertical progression not only symbolizes renewal but also fosters public awareness, inviting a deeper connection to water’s essential presence in Sydney’s landscape and history.

The open permanent exhibition ascends through exposed scaffolding, with suspended platforms framing curated works against the water landscape. Each overhang reveals Alexandra Canal as a historical witness and resilient force.

The open permanent exhibition ascends through exposed scaffolding, with suspended platforms framing curated works against the water landscape. Each overhang reveals Alexandra Canal as a historical witness and resilient force.

The dual façade illustrates the passage from controlled containment to openness, mirroring water’s purification from polluted confinement to ecological clarity.

The dual façade illustrates the passage from controlled containment to openness, mirroring water’s purification from polluted confinement to ecological clarity.

The classroom’s solid half, enclosed by concrete, focuses inward, where visitors manipulate small filtration models to explore water’s regulation. The open-air scaffolded half releases mist, embodying water’s fluid, uncontrollable nature.

The classroom’s solid half, enclosed by concrete, focuses inward, where visitors manipulate small filtration models to explore water’s regulation. The open-air scaffolded half releases mist, embodying water’s fluid, uncontrollable nature.

The journey begins on Huntley Street, descending gradually into a below-water pathway. Moving closer, visitors experience water at eye level, then emerge to face the tower’s monolithic presence before entry.

The journey begins on Huntley Street, descending gradually into a below-water pathway. Moving closer, visitors experience water at eye level, then emerge to face the tower’s monolithic presence before entry.

Each level’s plan reflects water’s layered experience: physical spaces engage flow and structure, emotional zones evoke memory, haptic areas stimulate tactile immersion, and spiritual spaces invite transcendent connections with water.

Each level’s plan reflects water’s layered experience: physical spaces engage flow and structure, emotional zones evoke memory, haptic areas stimulate tactile immersion, and spiritual spaces invite transcendent connections with water.