The Concourse

Client

Willoughby City Council

Location

Sydney

Completion date

2011

The Concourse Centre represents one of the most comprehensive cultural infrastructure projects undertaken by an Australian local government authority. The AUD $170 m civic facility located in Sydney’s North Shore features a performing arts centre, outdoor amphitheatre, library, shops, cafes and restaurants, all set within a large open space development. Willoughby City Council’s aspiration for the performing arts centre is to create a home for world-class performances and local school productions alike.

Our Brief

The acoustic design brief was to provide an excellent acoustic environment for a broad range of uses in both the concert hall and theatre ranging from orchestras to school rock bands and from drama to conferences. The project also encompasses a banqueting/exhibition hall (Civic Pavilion), library and rehearsal space, each with their own exacting requirements.

Challenges

The space constraints of the site presented significant challenges for the control of both external traffic noise and mechanical plant noise into the auditoria. Environmental noise issues were addressed through the isolation of mechanical plant noise and the insulation of the auditoriums against external traffic noise. 

Marshall Day Entertech designed and delivered excellent theatre environments in both the concert hall and theatre for a diverse array of uses, ranging from orchestras to school rock bands, dramatic performances to lectures. Theatre solutions were also provided for a multi-purpose studio space as well as a banqueting hall, exhibition space, rehearsal space, greenrooms and meeting rooms.

Awards

  • 2012 NSW Architecture Awards, Public Architecture - Architect: FJMT

  • Government Leadership for Urban Development Award - Austral Bricks Award for Excellence 2012, awarded to Willoughby City Council

"...a clear, crisp response that was neither boomy nor overly generous...we were very pleased with the acoustic...they got this one right..."

Mathisha Panagoda, cellist and founder of the Sydney Camerata