I am a Master of Architecture (Urban Transformation) student at Western Sydney University, passionate about creating interactive public spaces that foster connectivity and community. My design focus lies in sustainability and innovative material use, exploring how architecture can shape meaningful urban experiences. Alongside my academic and freelance work in residential design, I am also passionate about photography, which deepens my attention to light, detail, and atmosphere in the built environment.

Pouria Kaseb Ghane

 

The Bushells Tea Factory in Concord, a landmark of Sydney’s industrial heritage, stands as both a memory of the past and a challenge for the future. My project reimagines this historic brick structure as a vibrant innovation and cultural hub, where industry, creativity, and community converge. Rather than erasing the past, the design builds upon it—preserving the iconic façade and structural elements while introducing contemporary layers that invite new forms of interaction. At the heart of the proposal is the idea of connectivity. Elevated bridges span between the retained factory volumes, transforming circulation into a civic experience. These bridges act as both physical links and symbolic gestures—connecting history with modernity, workers with visitors, and the factory with the city beyond. The central void, once dedicated to production, is opened up as a public plaza that blends indoor and outdoor life, encouraging exchange, performance, and gathering. The design also foregrounds sustainability and adaptive reuse. By retaining and repurposing structural elements, the project minimises demolition waste while giving the building a renewed relevance. Natural light penetrates through carved voids, reducing energy demand and creating a dynamic atmosphere for galleries, studios, and collaborative workspaces. Cultural programming plays a crucial role in the transformation. The new Bushells Factory becomes a platform for exhibitions, workshops, and innovation labs, celebrating Sydney’s diverse communities while honouring the site’s industrial legacy. The project is not only about preserving a building but also about creating a living framework for cultural and social interaction. Ultimately, this adaptive reuse scheme transforms the Bushells Factory from a relic of production into a place of imagination—a civic landmark where the city’s heritage inspires its future.