The New Spaces Need to Be Clearly Articulated And

04 Design Approach PLANNING PRINCIPLES

Design Principles All Under One Roof “The new spaces need to be Three over-arching key design principles guide the The Vivian Fraser and Richard Wherrett scheme development of this Master Plan and its outcomes: clearly articulated and pulled dealt with the linear occupation and the production of theatre ‘all under the one roof’. The occupation is away from the heritage fabric - to Heritage unique to theatre companies around the world. There RAW MATERIALS let the timber envelope breathe. is a logical progression and sequence from loading of ‘The future lease of 45 years means that the MAKE raw material to making, finishing, rehearsing, occupation by the cultural institution of STC will have FINISH This improves our understanding performing theatre, celebrating and engaging. TOUR exceeded the original functions by at least two of the Wharf’s grunty warehouse REHEARSE decades.’ -Tasman Storey, Heritage Consultant and Materiality: Distinction between Old and New character, scale & materiality.” Architect PERFORM

CELEBRATE A clear distinction is proposed between the use and The heritage philosophy, a guiding principle, has re-use of existing materials and the addition of new determined the volumetric layout and articulation of materials to articulate the new spatial insertions spaces by treating the new volumes as insertions LINEAR OCCUPATION Ken McBryde within the existing Wharf. Where possible, timber that float or suspend within the external envelope. Project Principal, HASSELL from the removal of columns will be reused or reinterpreted and waste will be minimised. ‘The concept demonstrates an improved understanding of the Wharf structure, spatial volume The interplay between the existing facade and the and facade.’ -Tasman Storey, Heritage Consultant proposed new materials - ethereal, translucent and and Architect layered, shall mediate light conditions and use light to enhance interior spaces inviting people to look out The spatial strategy and logical planning sequence and up to engage with the exposed trusses, existing allows for the appreciation of an increased heritage lanterns and views beyond. volume that opens the full width of the Wharf from East to West both at Mid Wharf and The Theatre Bar at the End of the Wharf. “LET THE ENVELOPE BREATHE”

STAGE DOOR

RELEASE HERITAGE FACADE SEPARATE PATHS OF TRAVEL IMPROVE VISITOR EXPERIENCE BACK TO BACK THEATRE + REHEARSAL SPACES THERMAL/ACOUSTIC PERFORMANCE

STC50 Architectural Design Report 04 Design Approach STAIRS, LIFTS AND GANTRIES

Design Considerations HICKSON RD ENTRY POTTINGER STREET

The existing strategy for access and egress is an inhibiting factor in the daily life of STC in Wharf 4/5.

BARANGAROO RESERVE In addition, the existing Hickson Road entry is confusing, poorly lit and illegible, and does not THE ROCKS contribute to intuitive wayfinding or a sense of arrival for the Wharf 4/5 tenancies.

The Sydney Theatre Company seeks to enhance the EXISTING STAIR visitor experience for all patrons, including those with physical or sensory impairments, by addressing both accessibility and arrival points along the Wharf Apron.

Two new accessible entries are proposed at Mid Wharf and End of Wharf points along the eastern façade. This is intended to facilitate public access to EXISTING STAIR key areas within STC including the Theatres, Bar and Function spaces at levels 1 and 2, as well as staff NEW FIRE STAIR access to administration areas on these levels.

EXISTING LIFT This has allowed for the removal of the existing internal fire-tunnel and has assisted in re-planning the internal tenancy areas, to facilitate clear and NEW MID WHARF LIFT logical travel paths to escape routes. NEW GOODS/SERVICE LIFT

Equitable Access NEW MID WHARF ENTRY

The provision of lifts in reasonable proximity to the NEW FIRE STAIRS public stair and gantry entrances ensures accessible external access for staff and visitors. NEW END OF WHARF LIFT CIRCULAR QUAY EXISTING FIRE STAIR REMOVED Careful Insertions The new stairs, lifts and gantries are being coordinated with the WBAP. The intention is for the NEW END OF WHARF ENTRY new entries to sit independently from the heritage facade, and become a complementary and respectful addition. This allows significant heritage features of the external envelope, such as the existing crane rails, to remain untouched.

A Beacon for STC As strong wayfinding elements, the new entries serve as a visual beacon for a newly activated and enlivened STC + Walsh Bay Arts Precinct

LEGEND:

EXISTING EXTERNAL LIFT REMOVED FIRE STAIR NEW EXTERNAL LIFTS NEW FIRE STAIRS NEW EXTERNAL GANTRY

Façade LIFT MID WHARF LIFT END OF WHARF ENTRY ENTRY The driving ethos of the existing elevations is a ‘checkerboard’ rhythm that alternates ‘closed’ [solid] and ‘open’ [glazed] bays along the existing facade. This rhythm has been maintained in the proposed design through the considered location of new arrival points and careful planning of internal PROPOSED STAIRS, LIFTS + GANTRIES spaces.

The driving principle behind the internal planning 76 74 72 70 68 66 63 61 59 57 55 53 51 49 47 45 43 41 39 37 35 33 31 29 27 25 23 21 19 17 15 13 11 9 7 5 logic is to pull away from the existing facade, and to utilise the existing open and closed rhythm to permit maximum access to natural daylight and views for key internal spaces.

This enables the heritage sensitivity of the existing facade to be maintained.

Where amendments are required to the building envelope, these will be treated in a manner that is in OPEN CLOSED keeping with the existing built fabric and the CMP to sensitively conserve and reveal the existing building. EXISTING EAST ELEVATION

MODIFIED FACADE

COMPOSITION STUDY

GRIDR DATUMT DIVIDE OPEN / CLOSEDC FRAMEA SKINK

STC50 Architectural Design Report 04 Design Approach FACADE _Composition Study

Heritage Conservation

The composition of the existing structural bays has been studied extensively.

Both the fabric itself, and the principles behind the composition are integral in both understanding the original envelope, and in considering how these design principles can translate to new architectural elements.

The envelope has been modified, and as a result the structural bay comprises elements of low, medium and high heritage significance. The introduced glazing is of low heritage significance [refer Tropman and Tropman Architects Heritage Impact Statement].

Wherever possible, facade modifications have been confined to these areas of little heritage significance. This allows as much of the original fabric as possible to remain untouched.

The STC theatre and workshops require additional height that cannot be facilitated by the current roof configuration. The proposed roof modifications will dramatically improve the quality of the internal spaces and operational efficiency.

The roof modification facilitates improved sight lines in the Wharf 1 Theatre and allows for the technical zone for lighting, sound and rigging to sit above the heritage trusses. The roof modification also allows for building services to be carefully reticulated.

The roof modification will also allow STC to build, finish and transport sets at full height for the Wharf GLAZED LOUVRED GABLE END 1 Theatre, Wharf 2 Theatre 2, Drama Theatre and Roslyn Packer Theatre. The gable ends of the roof modification over the workshop will be glazed and louvred to allow daylight and ventilation into the workshops.

The roof modifications fall under the scope of the WBAP development, in coordination with HASSELL, STC and Charcoal Blue.

STC50 Architectural Design Report 04 Design Approach ROOF PLANT

Consolidation of Mechanical Equipment Existing Proposed

In order to condition and service the new spaces, new plant equipment is required. The roof mounted mechanical equipment is currently contained in disparate locations along the length of the roof, generally located centrally located along the valley.

The new proposal consolidates and rationalises the mechanical equipment to the north of the Wharf in its existing valley location, where it is visually screened by the Theatre Roof modification and lanterns. SOLAR PANEL EQUIPMENT

MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT

MECHANICAL + EXHAUSTS

Photographs of Existing Plant Equipment

Precedent

Extensive benchmarking has been undertaken against comparable Theatre projects Nationally and Internationally

Everyman Theatre, Liverpool St Anne’s Warehouse, Brooklyn Royal National Theatre, London Southbank Theatre, Melbourne Eternity Playhouse, Sydney

Context: Context: Context: Context: Context: A new theatre won by competition Adaptive Reuse of a Heritage building [former Refurbishment of one of Britain’s most important Home of the Melbourne Theatre Company A heritage listed church, transformed into a play tobacco warehouse] 20th century buildings by architect Sir Denys Lasdun theatre Theatre Configuration Theatre Configuration 400 seat, naturally ventilated + adaptable Theatre Configuration Theatre Configuration 500-559 seats [Sumner], 150 seats [Lawler] Theatre Configuration auditorium. 300-1500 people [highly flexible] 130 seats added to auditorium, for a ~460 total 200 seat shoe horn configuration 60 seat performance studio [150 seats in the ‘pit’ which fold into boxes]

SBW Stables [Griffin Theatre] Roslyn Packer Theatre Opera House Drama Theatre + Playhouse Belvoir Street Theatre State Theatre Context: Former theatre of Nimrod Theatre Company, Context: Context: Context: Context: renovated in 2010 Purpose built theatre for drama, musicals and dance Venues within the Opera House Originally a Nimrod Theatre venue, now owned by a A heritage listed theatre syndicate of 600 people Theatre Configuration Theatre Configuration Theatre Configuration Theatre Configuration 120 seat theatre with kite shaped stage 896 seat proscenium arch theatre 544 seats [Drama Theatre] Theatre Configuration 2,775 seats 398 [Playhouse Theatre] 300 seats [Upstairs]. 80 seats [Downstairs]

STC50 Architectural Design Report 04 Design Approach THEATRES - CHARCOALBLUE

“ This project has the potential to deliver not only some of the most exciting theatrical spaces in the world but also offer a truly unique prospect in the Southern Hemisphere.”

Andy Hayles, Charcoalblue

Theatre Specialists, Charcoalblue, have been working closely with HASSELL and STC in designing the reconfigured Theatre and support spaces to ensure that the STC50 Project meets its world class aspirations.

Design Considerations

The Hickson Road entrance is intended to be the principal pedestrian entrance to STC.

Currently, the entry is confusing and the Box Office Ticketing is uninviting. Patrons often miss the entry, and the accessible ramp is hidden behind the heritage column.

The existing entry ramp and stairs will be enhanced to increase the street presence and visibility of accessible paths of travel. This offers an intuitive and logical approach to wayfinding, and enables entry points to function as beacons for STC.

The design of the Hickson Road entry is being undertaken in a peer review process with the WBAP architects [TZG] to ensure that the design meets both STC and precinct aspirations.

EXISTING HICKSON RD

PROPOSED HICKSON RD ENTRY TO STC INDICATIVE ENTRY

STC50 Architectural Design Report 04 Design Approach ACCESSIBILITY

Given the constraints and nature of the existing 200m long Wharf building, STC needs to address a simple strategy for accessibility both externally and LEVEL 3 internally along the Wharf.

The existing accessible entry is via a ramp from THEATRE 1 TECHNICAL ZONE Hickson Road, with vertical access via a lift to STC Level 1. This proposal has carefully considered the introduction of Mid Wharf and End of Wharf lift access for DDA compliance and to provide wheelchair access to the Theatres and public spaces, with TECHWORLD amenities located in close proximity.

The desired outcome within the constraints of a REHEARSAL SUPPORT heritage building has provided greater choice for DDA LEVEL 2 LEVEL 2 access, and significantly reduced travel distances. ADMIN

THEATRE 1 THEATRE 1* FUNCTION

KITCHEN

LEVEL 1 165M LEVEL 1 W/C THEATRE 2

THEATRE 1

W/C* W/C KITCHEN

GROUND GROUND

80M

70M

LEGEND:

PUBLIC TOILETS NEW EXTERNAL LIFTS NEW INTERNAL LIFTS EXISTING LIFTS EXISTING *Theatre 1 to W/C: approx 300m PROPOSED *Theatre 1 to W/C: vertically connected via Lift

Existing Proposed

The conservation and reuse of the existing heritage The new spatial strategy and logical planning building is a social and cultural responsibility that sequence allows for the appreciation of an increased STC and the consultant team has cemented as a core heritage volume that is naturally ventilated and design principle. expressed along the eastern and western facade. It also opens the full width of the Wharf both at Mid The existing Long Walk is an original feature of the Wharf and The Theatre Bar at the End of the Wharf. Vivian Fraser design, intended to build anticipation in patrons as they approach the Theatre. However, the This also enables the newly configured spaces to be overlap of Front of House and Back of House paths of thermally and acoustically treated in a manner travel, and height limitations of the fire tunnel, is appropriate to their program without compromising causing operational inefficiency. the heritage envelope.

HASSELL seeks to reinterpret this concept by retaining the Walk, but introducing a new western Back of House path of travel. This separates new spaces from the original envelope to preserve the heritage facades, greatly improves operational efficiency, and provides security and privacy for staff and performers.

STC50 Architectural Design Report 04 Design Approach HERITAGE _Response to Structure

Existing Truss Strengthening - Flat Plate + PFC Existing Connection to Hickson Road Masonry Wall Existing Truss / Partition Junctions Existing Partition to Lantern Junction

The new insertions need to connect back to the existing structure in a carefully considered manner. Following the precedent that exists in Wharf 4/5 and elsewhere in Walsh Bay, new structure will be readily identifiable as distinct from the heritage fabric.

A sensitive approach to detailing will enable the effective transfer of loads, offer an improved acoustic and thermal performance, preserve the heritage interpretation of the original elements, and provide a high quality built outcome that enhances the overall character of the project.

Typical Partition to Column Detail 1:20 Typical Steel to Column Detail 1:20 Typical Roof Details 1:20 Typical Truss Strengthening 1:20

Composition Study

A detailed study of the original facade with appreciation of its material, composition and tectonics has informed the design and material intent for the new architectural insertions.

GRIDR DATUMT DIVIDEV OPEN / CCLOSED FRAMEAM SKINK

RHYTHM PROPORTION MODULATION CONCEAL / REVEAL LAYERS SCREEN

STC50 Architectural Design Report 04 Design Approach MATERIALS _Proposed Finishes

STC50 Architectural Design Report