Client
Williams Ross Architects
Location
Wodonga, VIC
Completion date
2013
Wodonga Performing Arts Centre delivers a landmark building designed by Williams Ross Architects offering two highly versatile performance spaces, plus an outdoor courtyard performance area, to replace the 1960s flat floor Wodonga Civic Hall.
The Auditorium
The Auditorium is a supremely flexible space.
The flat floor open stage space features retractable seating banks with a 1200 mm deep, three row seating pit that can be used to create a raised stage effect.
An audience gallery provides additional seating or a technical control position, and a technical gallery above can be used as an alternate control position or to rig lighting and drapes from.
The space is designed to accommodate a range of performances including theatre, music and circus, and features high truss loadings and the ability to easily change truss configurations to suit different styles of show.
9 metre high operable walls are available to divide the space for concurrent usage such as meetings and conferences.
Even more flexibility
The facility's design allows for performances in the foyer gallery spaces and full inter-connectivity between the main spaces, foyers, community meeting rooms and cafe.
An adjoining Civic Courtyard takes advantage of the auditorium’s technical infrastructure with the ability to open the back of the theatre and utilise the stage and technical equipment.
In conjunction there is a large LED outdoor screen and a raked awning fitted with one tonne rigging points, suitable for line array PA systems and lighting, able to stage performances for up to 2,000 people in the open air.
Our Role
We were in involved in all aspects of the theatre design and specification.
A key feature of our work on this projects was an initial strategic review. In specifying the type of performance spaces, we conducted an assessment of existing theatre facilities in the vicinity. The resulting design for the 450 seat multipurpose space was chosen to complement rather than compete with other venues in the area due to its medium-sized capacity and outstanding versatility.