Ipswich State High School Performing Arts Building was designed as a new home for the Arts Program. Located on the edge of the school campus the new facility was set up to create a new hub for community engagement. Serving both the school and community, this building can switch between both large and small scale theatre modes via the division of its main theatre space. Further to the main performance space, the building accommodates both media and music general learning rooms in addition to its ensemble, recording and performance spaces.
The facility was master planned to take into account the future planning on campus while addressing some of the legacy issues to do with site circulation and flooding. Moreover, it centralised the arts functions and freed up space for general learning areas to be built to meet the growing student intake.
The building was designed using simple principles for form and materials. A single skillion roof allowed for the accommodation of all the critical infrastructure within the building envelope while minimising the impact of the building on its surrounds. This approach allowed the building to tie into the existing context of the trade training centre while the colour scheme referenced both school colours and the existing buildings.
Finally through the use of simple forms and efficient planning, a lasting piece of infrastructure was delivered for the school which meets the brief and exceeds the client's expectations.