Stage 1: Building Requirements

 

Purpose

The following description of the major components of the new performing arts facility is taken from the detailed building brief that has been prepared for the project. The building requirements have been summarised so that Stage 1 submissions remain conceptual, focusing on the overall organisation and massing of the building, the characteristics of its site plan and relationships to existing development.

The building is to provide two theatres, related back of house spaces, and facilities to accommodate such functions as management, front of house and hospitality services.  The total building area is summarised as follows:

 

  Theatres and stage related spaces
2,378
sqm
  Performers' areas 
755
sqm
  Lobbies and public amenities 
1,495
sqm
  Administrative areas
275
sqm
  Delivery and service areas
215
sqm
 Net Total
5,118
sqm
        Gross factor
1,191
sqm (generally 25%, 15% in lobby areas)
   Gross Total
6,309
square metres

 

These categories include certain spaces considered desirable, but not essential to the successful function of the facility.  The gross total area of the building, excluding these non-essential spaces, may be reduced by approximately 700 square metres, with greatest impact in the public amenity areas of the building. 

 

A general description of each of the above space categories is provided below, including possible areas where the space may be reduced if necessary, and notes on drop-off requirements and outdoor spaces.

 

Theatres and stage related spaces

2,972 gross square metres

The two theatres are the core of the facility and are to offer inspiring and comfortable spaces, for audiences as well as performers and production staff.  The theatres must be able to be used simultaneously, without acoustic interference, or traffic conflicts between separate audiences and personnel related to different productions.

1.     Main Theatre    .........................................................................................   1,787 gross m2

 

The main performance space of the facility is to be an intimate proscenium theatre suitable for the staging of medium scale drama and contemporary dance performances, with occasional use for musical events.  Secondary uses may include seminars and conferences.  A seating capacity of 575 is required, with approximately 475 in stalls and 100 in an upper circle.  The stage is 24 metres wide by 15 metres deep, with a forestage lift creating orchestra pit, stalls floor and forestage of approximately 50 m2, a sub-stage basement, and a fly tower which has the same foot print as the stage and a clear height of 24 metres (stage floor to grid height is 22.5m). 

 

The area estimated for the main theatre includes approximately 435 m2 in the stage, 288 m2 in audience seating, and the remainder in the orchestra pit, sub-stage basement, fly tower, and a variety of lighting and sound control spaces.  The only desirable but non-essential spaces are approximately 36 m2 of these service areas.

2.     Studio Theatre  ........................................................................................... 935 gross m2

The Studio Theatre is to be a flexible, flat floor "blackbox" space, with a full perimeter upper level viewing gallery, suitable for the staging of medium scale drama and contemporary dance performances, with occasional use for musical events in a variety of stage formats.  Secondary uses may include seminars, conferences and exhibitions.  The Studio Theatre is to have a capacity of up to 200 people, in a variety of seating configurations.  It should be a rectangular space with a shortest dimension of at least 18 metres and a minimum height of 10 metres (stage floor to grid height is 8m). Performers should be able to make an entrance from all corners of the theatre via light/sound exit lobbies. 

 

The auditorium area is approximately 396 m2, with the remainder of the space allowance devoted to the gallery, sub-basement and control rooms, all of which are essential to the effective operation of the theatre.

 

3.     Stage related spaces  .................................................................................... 250 gross m2

 

These include a variety of storage spaces, workshops and office spaces for technical staff which should be grouped together, with direct access to both theatres and delivery and service areas (see 5.5 below).  Props and furniture storage rooms could be eliminated if necessary, reducing the gross area in this category by approximately 75 m2.

 

Performers' areas

944 gross square metres

These include two rehearsal rooms, a meeting room, and various service areas such as wardrobe, make-up and multi-purpose workspaces, in addition to dressing rooms with capacity to house 8 principals for the Studio Theatre, 12 principals for the Main Theatre and two subdivisible chorus rooms servicing both spaces.  All the specified spaces are considered essential to the successful operation of the facility.  Performers' areas should be grouped together and located in proximity to both theatre stages.

 

Lobbies and public amenities

1,781 gross square metres

The theatre entries and front of house spaces are the public introduction to the facility and must be exciting, comfortable and welcoming.  Areas in this category include the theatre lobbies and food and beverage services.

1.     Theatre lobbies  .......................................................................................   1,018 gross m2

The main and studio theatres need foyers with a capacity of 500 and 200 people respectively, with areas of approximately 500 m2 and 175 m2.  The foyers are required to accommodate small performances and exhibitions.  These spaces should be connected but acoustically separable, and on the same level to provide the ability to host larger events.  Because the audiences of the two theatres are likely to be distinctly different in character, entrances to the foyers should be separated, with appropriate external space to congregate before and after a performance, without blocking doorways.

The remainder of the space allowance in this category includes the box office, information desk, public toilets and gift shop.  Desirable but non-essential areas, such as a cloakroom, merchandise counter and equipment store, total approximately 65 m2.

2.     Food and beverage services  ......................................................................  763 gross m2

Essential entertainment spaces include three bars and associated service, storage and staff rooms, to a total area of 205 m2.  Desirable additions to these spaces include a VIP Lounge or Board Room of 50 m2, and a café restaurant requiring approximately 355 m2 including kitchen, storage spaces and a manager's office.

 

Administrative areas

344 gross square metres

In addition to venue management offices, the building is expected to provide resident company office and work space for approximately 15 people. These offices should have convenient access to the foyers and back stage door.

 

Delivery and service areas

269 gross square metres

External service areas should be grouped together and offer direct access to stage related spaces to maximise operational efficiency.  A single Scene Dock to serve both theatres is preferred, backing onto the stage of the Main Theatre and provide additional rear stage space when necessary. The Scene Dock is approximately 150m2, with a vertical clearance of 7.5 metres. Two additional loading bays of 25 m2 each are also required, with a clear height of 5 metres above the dock level. The remainder of the space in this category is for the stage door entry and security office.

 

Parking and drop-off requirements

Given the existing parking facilities available in the public car park immediately east of the theatre site on Roe Street and beneath the nearby State Library no additional parking spaces for the new facility are required.  Access from these parking structures to the theatre entries, however, should be convenient, obvious and safe.

A substantial proportion of daytime patrons will arrive by private bus or coach, with up to eight buses arriving at the facility over a short time frame.  Many of these matinee audiences will be school children or groups of elderly people.  The buses must therefore be able to unload and pick-up passengers in a safe location, in close proximity to an entrance, and without a significant grade change between the drop-off point and the entry.  Buses can wait in a remote location during a performance, but need to assemble at the audience exit immediately after.

 

Outdoor spaces

External service areas shall be grouped together and offer direct access to stage related spaces to maximise operational efficiency.  A single Scene Dock to serve both theatres is preferred, located to back onto the stage of the Main Theatre and provide additional rear stage space when necessary. The Scene Dock is approximately 150m2, with a vertical clearance of 7.5 metres. Two additional loading bays of 25 m2 each are also required, with a clear height of 5 metres above the dock level. The remainder of the space in this category is for the stage door entry and security office.

 

Project budget

 

Elemental Budget

Theatre Areas

$19,870,200

Unenclosed Covered Areas

$360,000

Heritage Premium

$600,000

Total Gross Floor Area and Building Cost

$20,830,200

Site Preparation

$499,200

Roads, Footpaths and Paved Areas

$435,000

Boundary Walls, Fencing and Gates

$130,200

Outbuildings and Covered Ways

$120,000

Landscaping and Improvements

$120,000

External Works Subtotal

$1,304,400

External Stormwater Drainage

$300,000

External Sewer Drainage

$48,000

External Water Supply

$42,000

External Gas 

$78,000

External Fire Protection

$162,000

External Electric Light and Power 

$198,000

External Communications 

$9,600

External Special Services

$120,000

External Services Subtotal

$957,600

Proportion of Preliminaries

$403,800

NET PROJECT COST SUBTOTAL (Total Construction Cost)

$23,496,000

 

Please note:

Budget based on escalated costs to tender date of September 2006 and excludes:

 

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