Queensland
Darling Downs and West Moreton
The Performing Arts Centre at Wilsonton State High School sets a new standard for public school and community architecture in the region. Originally inspired by the parched landscape, warm toned bricks, cladding, and paving were used tie the project to the colour scheme and vernacular of the street with the school colours also being threaded throughout the project.
Using a diverse range of materials, the expansive southern façade is broken up into this undulating face with glazing being introduced as the inner program becomes more public facing. The lower western edge of the building bridges the gap between the residential area and the voluminous performance spaces within.
As the internal program becomes more student/staff oriented the form of the building turns away from the street and the external cladding becoming simplified and ordered. The state-of-the-art performance and learning spaces are a significant addition to the school and community.
Our Performing Arts Centre, designed by arkLAB, enhances connection with our community, as a place where family/friends of staff/students can come together to celebrate achievements and enjoy dance, drama & musical performances.
The building is a substantial addition to our school frontage, providing a statement about the quality of learning available at our school.
The flexible auditorium allows us to teach individual performing arts classes during the day, while opening to accommodate an expansive audience for performance/ceremony. Music classrooms double as spaces for rehearsal and backstage functions.
We appreciate arkLAB’s efforts in designing a state-of-the-art facility for our high school.
Anna Dempsey, Project Architect
Georgia Sewell, Graduate of Architecture
ANV Consulting Engineers, Acoustic Consultant
Aptus Building Consultants, Certifier
Ashburner Francis, ESD Consultant
Calibre, Civil Consultant
Calibre, Structural Engineer
Integral, Electrical Consultant
Integral, Hydraulic Consultant
Integral, Mechanical Consultant
The Australian Institute of Architects acknowledges First Nations peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the lands, waters, and skies of the continent now called Australia.
We express our gratitude to their Elders and Knowledge Holders whose wisdom, actions and knowledge have kept culture alive.
We recognise First Nations peoples as the first architects and builders. We appreciate their continuing work on Country from pre-invasion times to contemporary First Nations architects, and respect their rights to continue to care for Country.
