The shire will be given a "vibrant civic heart" under plans by the architectural firm chosen for a $22 million renovation of Sutherland Entertainment Centre.
The concept plans include the addition of a north-facing verandah, leading into a revitalised Peace Park.
Sutherland Shire Council chose Chrofi and NBRS Architecture for the project after concepts by three bidders were exhibited for comment.
More than 400 submissions were received.
NBRS Architecture directors said a key aspect of their proposal was to improve the connection between the Entertainment Centre and Peace Park by including a north facing verandah and versatile foyer space.
That move would "evoke a relationship where the building and park would begin to feel very much a part of each other, and become a catalyst for community activation and cultural engagement".
The concept plan said, for more than 40 years, generations of shire residents and visitors had gathered at the Entertainment Centre to celebrate, enjoy performances or to perform.
"However, in looking to the future, this robust but ageing building needs to become something more than a single purpose venue and must evolve to become a flexible place with broader cultural and social appeal - a place for the entire community.
"The Entertainment Centre has an architectural honesty which isn't always found in contemporary buildings.
"With this building, what you see is what you get, and this allows it to be easily understood - for its flaws but also for its wonderful transformative potential.
"Where some may see an outdated entertainment venue with dark foyer spaces and a hard-to-find front door there also lies a tremendous potential for the building to reach out and have a more friendly conversation with the Sutherland town centre and in particular with Peace Park."
The concept plan envisages the Entertainment Centre, Peace Park and surrounds as "a vibrant civic heart for the community - a re-imagined place that is accessible, welcoming, diverse, and full of life and inspiration".
"This creates the setting for a myriad of social possibilities where aspects of public life - celebration, ceremony, recreation and entertainment - can all have their place," the concept plan said.
"Furthermore, it would allow the park to serve as a rightful civic focal point and encourage a greater engagement with other civic places and institutions such as the council administration building and Library; and creates opportunities for any future development of the lands at the eastern, southern and western edges of the park to be afforded a greater sense of civic purpose.
"The Entertainment Centre should also feel like it is much more a part of the park and, conversely, the park should feel as though it is an extension of the building... which means that where the building and park come together there should be a much more open and friendly interface than what is provided by the building's current address to the park.
"This interface - much like the notion of a verandah on a house - will help mediate the change in level between park and building and provide an at-grade connection between Merton Street and Eton Street.
"With a new restaurant/cafe offering, this will activate the park's southern edge and create a more visible and accessible park-side entry for the Entertainment Centre."
Mayor Carmelo Pesce said the council was excited to see the design unfold.
Cr Pesce said the chosen architectural team "put forward an impressive proposal and the community responded positively to the key elements of their design".
"Understanding what the community wants is important in decision making," he said.
"The centre is over 40 years old and the use has changed over the years, so by consulting the community we have learnt more about what is important to them.
"We want to ensure this major refurbishment creates an Entertainment Centre that best meets the needs of our community.
"Along with a technical and costing assessment, the results of the consultation helped contribute to an overall review of each concept and the appointment of the chosen architect for the project."
