Sub Base Platypus

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Client

Sydney Harbour Federation Trust

Services

Exhibition/Installation
Interpretation/Art
Curation/Content

Sector

Cultural
Government

SUPERSENSE curated and designed a outdoor interpretive exhibition that includes public artwork murals at Sub Base Platypus, Neutral Bay, Sydney, for the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust. The exhibition space is located within the redevelopment of the historic 1940s former Torpedo Factory, designed by Turf Landscape Architecture.

Our journey involved extensive research, curation, consultation, and creation of site themes, encompassing the site's First Nations, industrial, and Defence stories. We are proud to have partnered with Yerrabingin, an Aboriginal-owned landscape architecture firm, to lead the narrative on Aboriginal stories.

A fundamental approach to interpreting the Torpedo Factory was the integration of salvaged and repatriated objects and in situ heritage features, connecting stories through curation and design. The exhibition features objects returned to the site from the Navy’s heritage collection at Spectacle Island, including original building signage and a restored torpedo.

Our approach layered object display, screen printed public art murals, and interpretive panels over a heritage ‘blast wall’ to form a comprehensive interpretive exhibition.

Landscape Architecture partner

Turf

Fabricator

Iguana

Aboriginal content curation

Yerrabingin

Sub Base Platypus

Curating and designing a layered outdoor exhibition

SUPERSENSE curated and designed an interpretive gallery space entry experience at Sub Base Platypus, Neutral Bay Sydney for the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust. This the redevelopment of the historic 1940s former Torpedo Factory
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Visitor observing a series of folded interpretations and signage along a wall, adorned with a painted mural background at Sub Base Platypus for the Harbour Trust, integrating immersive environments
A series of emergency and hazard signs repurposed as interpretation to connect with the site’s industrial history
A series of folded signage along a painted mural wall featuring photographs, interpretations, and ties to Sub Base Platypus' industrial past
Close-up of a painted mural showcasing women's efforts during World War II and the production of torpedoes, as part of the heritage interpretation strategy
SUPERSENSE developed the themes ‘Defend’, ‘Women in the Workforce’, ‘Dangerous Works’ and ‘Community’ to use as lenses for site’s history.
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Close-up of signage used in the site's industrial past, indicating exits, caution, keep clear, and emergency stops
Close-up of signage displayed in the site's industrial past, indicating fire hazards, danger, and live wires
An innovative floating display of salvaged signage from the site communicates some of the inherent dangers of working with dangerous materials and torpedos.
+ Read More
Painted mural illustrating a sailor at Sub Base Platypus for the Harbour Trust
A series of folded signage positioned on either side of a women’s locker room door, mounted to the wall for interpretations
The former blast wall retains its heritage patina and features an evocative outdoor exhibition including salvaged objects from the site, imagery and text.
+ Read More
A blue torpedo in the foreground, with a wall of interpretations visible in the background at Sub Base Platypus
SUPERSENSE curated and designed an interpretive gallery space entry experience at Sub Base Platypus, Neutral Bay Sydney for the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust. This the redevelopment of the historic 1940s former Torpedo Factory
+ Read More
Visitor observing a series of folded interpretations and signage along a wall, adorned with a painted mural background at Sub Base Platypus for the Harbour Trust, integrating immersive environments
A series of emergency and hazard signs repurposed as interpretation to connect with the site’s industrial history
A series of folded signage along a painted mural wall featuring photographs, interpretations, and ties to Sub Base Platypus' industrial past
Close-up of a painted mural showcasing women's efforts during World War II and the production of torpedoes, as part of the heritage interpretation strategy
SUPERSENSE developed the themes ‘Defend’, ‘Women in the Workforce’, ‘Dangerous Works’ and ‘Community’ to use as lenses for site’s history.
+ Read More
Close-up of signage used in the site's industrial past, indicating exits, caution, keep clear, and emergency stops
Close-up of signage displayed in the site's industrial past, indicating fire hazards, danger, and live wires
An innovative floating display of salvaged signage from the site communicates some of the inherent dangers of working with dangerous materials and torpedos.
+ Read More
Painted mural illustrating a sailor at Sub Base Platypus for the Harbour Trust
A series of folded signage positioned on either side of a women’s locker room door, mounted to the wall for interpretations
The former blast wall retains its heritage patina and features an evocative outdoor exhibition including salvaged objects from the site, imagery and text.
+ Read More
A blue torpedo in the foreground, with a wall of interpretations visible in the background at Sub Base Platypus

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