RFI - Attachment 3 - Proposal Plans Performing Arts Centre (2) · MCU23/0096

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ISSUE _ BUILDING HEIGHT
We understand the building height exceeds Acceptable Outcome AO17.1 of the Communities Facilities Zone
Code but advise the proposed height is required for the specialised and specific building use as a performing
arts space. The south-western corner of the building on the First Floor will act as the stage area with seating
spread out towards the north-western corner. Sufficient ceiling height over the stage area is required for
specialised equipment such as lighting bars, speakers, curtains, and stage rigging. Sufficient ceiling height
is also required to the seating area for the designed retractable seating to achieve acceptable sight lines to
the stage. If the ceiling height over the seating area was lowered, retractable seating could not be installed
meaning the stage would need to be raised to provide acceptable sight lines. Raising the stage would
increase the ceiling height in the south-western corner and drastically reduce the flexibility and functionality
of the first floor spaces and desired connectivity / accessibility. The ceiling height on the Ground Floor is
required to facilitate the specialised learning environments in GLA 1 Music 1 and GLA 2 Music 2. It is further
noted the height of the proposed building facing Walter Hay Drive is 10.5m above natural ground level and
the new building is 1.45m lower than existing buildings onsite (Sports Hall) as illustrated on the architectural
drawings. Based on the scale of these existing buildings, it is therefore considered the proposed building is
reflective of the established building scale in the locality.


Further to this, it must be emphasised and reiterated the design of the performing arts building is extremely
specialised due to the nature of its use. As noted above, the learning spaces on the Ground Floor have been
specifically designed and are necessarily associated with the performance spaces above. Consequently, it
is necessary to locate the associated facilities together in a singular building that is centrally located within
the campus.


For reference purposes, we provide the following typical section through an auditorium and performing arts
facility. As highlighted, a generic single storey building of this function can be in excess of 17.6m high to
accommodate all the specialised equipment above a raised stage with fixed tiered seating, mezzanine and
high-level control box. While an outcome like this could be desirable for the College, we have worked to
create the most efficient and flexible building form minimising height for a typically extremely specialised,
rigid and tall building form. Further precedents of the typical building height for a Performing Arts building
can bee see in Appendix A, Australian Education Benchmarking Precedents and Floor Area Testing.




Generic section of Performing Arts Space with stage and loft.


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ISSUE _ GROSS FLOOR AREA
Please be advised, the GFAs noted on the revised architectural plans have been updated to suit the definition
in The Noosa Plan 2020.


As noted in previous sections, this building has been specifically designed for the specialised use and brief
required to deliver a state-of-the-art performing arts facility for the college. The provision of teaching space
does not just require floor area, it must be designed to inspire and provide the best possible environment to
be creative. That requires attention to area, volume, space, light, colour, acoustics, communication, and co-
existence as well as the intangibles that spark creativity. The specialised nature of the building and
relatedness of the learning areas that will use it necessitate its floor area. It is considered Performing Arts
buildings of this size, nature, and intent are not uncommon in colleges and are often considerably larger.


Typically, Performing Arts buildings within a college environment facilitate the following spaces;
-   Public Areas
         o    Functional Spaces
         o    Student Circulation / Hang-out and Gathering Space
         o    Audience Foyer
-   Performance / Teaching Spaces
         o    Main Auditorium with seating, mezzanine, stage, loft, backstage and storage
-   Technical Areas
         o    Control / Black Box
-   Performer Areas
         o    Backstage Dressing Rooms
         o    Performer Areas
-   Academic Areas
         o    Drama / Music / Dance Studios and Teaching Spaces
         o    Band Room
         o    Choral / Strings Room
         o    Recording Studios
         o    Breakout Spaces
         o    Changing Rooms and Amenities
-   Administration Areas
         o    Reception / Entry
         o    Offices / Common Space / Kitchenette
         o    Amenities


We refer you to the supplementary document (Appendix A) which provides Australian Education
Benchmarking Precedents and Floor Area Testing for Performing Arts buildings within college environments.
This precedent study highlights the practical, common, and fundamental practice of grouping associated
teaching, learning, performing and administration spaces within a singular large scale (greater than 1,000m2)
performing arts facility. We further note, Burling Brown have designed multiple performing arts facilities in
recent years which are all greater than 1,000m2 and incorporate associated teaching and learning spaces
within a single built form.


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These projects include;
-   The Southport School – Annand Theatre
-   St. Hilda’s School – Granowski Building
-   St. Andrews Lutheran College – Ruth Butler Theatre & Senior Block
-   A.B. Paterson College – Centre for Positive Education, Leadership and Health
-   Saint Stephen’s College – Centre of Music Excellence
-   All Saints Anglican School – Nairn Theatre
-   Sheldon College – Sheldon Event Centre


We have worked closely with the College to scrutinise the typical brief of a Performing Arts building to create
the most efficient, flexible and minimal floor plate for a typically extremely specialised and rigid building
function. This is evident by using retractable seating and no raised stage on the First Floor to save on size
and height of a fixed auditorium. Every internal space has been examined to ensure their floor area and use
are essential to the overall function of the building to minimise the total floor area of the building as much as
possible.


In adjudication, it is considered the scale and floor area of the proposed building is modest in relation to
comparative and typical Performing Arts buildings within a college environment. Furthermore, additional
landscaping and external treatment has been included to visually hide the building from Walter Hay Drive
and Eumundi Noosa Road.




ISSUE _ BUILDING BULK
We advise the design of the building has been amended to comply with Acceptable Outcome AO18.2 of the
Communities Facilities Zone Code so no walls are greater that 30 metres in one plane. This is reflected on
the updated architectural package as part of this response to Noosa Council’s Information Request.


In response to Acceptable Outcome AO7.1 of the Noosaville Local Plan Code, as previously noted and
highlighted in Appendix A, due to the extremely specialised use and design brief associated with a state-of-
the-art college based performing arts building, it is necessary nor uncommon to locate all associated facilities
together in a singular building. Small separate buildings as suggested in the Information Request is deemed
unviable practically, functionally, and financially. To address this item, the design and external aesthetic of
the proposed building form has considered the future desired character of the area and been articulated to
represent multiple contrasting shells stacked adjacent and on top of one another. This is illustrated through
contrasting material palettes and construction methodology between the ground floor and first floor as well
as the western and eastern wings. The external texturing and treatments help break up the length of the
longitudinal facades to suggest an ideology of small separate buildings in a singular mass.


Furthermore, the building has been designed and sited to have the end facing Walter Hay Drive meaning
the longitudinal sides are generally internal to the existing campus and not externally visible. With the
assistance of existing buildings on campus, including the Sports Hall, along with existing and additional
landscaping, any suggestion of a large bulky building dominating the street, surrounding spaces, or existing
skyline is unfounded.


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ISSUE _ BUILDING BULK
We note the following site coverage for the campus pre and post development of the proposed Performing
Arts Building;
-   Existing Site Coverage (pre performing arts building) – 22.50%
-   Post Performing Arts Building Site Coverage – 23.88%




ISSUE _ SUSTAINABILITY
In terms of sustainability and the Sustainable Building Design Code, we consider most items nominated
under 9.4.6.2 Purpose and Overall Outcomes (2) have been incorporated into the design including;
    •    Sustainable design principles as noted in the sections below,
    •    Response to site conditions including large roof overhangs, retention of existing vegetation,
         protected external areas including Courtyard and Breakout 2, blades and screening to combat
         weather and site topography sloping towards Walter Hay Drive,
    •    Water sensitive urban design principles including rain gardens, bio-basin and underground water
         tanks for storage of roof runoff and reuse as grey water in amenities and irrigation,
    •    Passive design elements including operability of the building’s external skin with windows and doors
         to promote a blurred edge between internal and external spaces,
    •    Renewable resources including recycled materials and repurpose of products at end of use as
         noted in the sections below,
    •    Energy and water efficiency with solar panels on the roof and reuse of water collected from roof,
    •    Retention of existing vegetation whilst planting additional vegetation to bolster green zones, natural
         screening, and shading opportunities,
    •    Energy efficiency initiatives will exceed Section J requirements in the Building Codes of Australia,
         and
    •    Healthy indoor environments including selection of building materials, incorporation of natural light
         and ventilation coupled with the operability of the external building skin.


The below sections provide further justification to the sustainability principles incorporated into the proposed
Performing Arts Building.


Sustainability
This project aims to minimise ecological footprint, promote social responsibility and education, as well as
contributing to a resilient and thriving global community. This building and landscape will not only be
functional and aesthetically pleasing but also environmentally responsible and socially conscious. To that
point, the design focuses on the core principle of a circular economy, not a linear economy.


Partnerships between the college and material manufacturers will focus on promoting opportunities to
repurpose products at end of use. Our responsibility to the environment does not stop once the keys are
handed over, but for the life of the building.




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The building has been designed to stand the test of time with a super structure to last 50 years while creating
open structural spans for future adaptation and flexibility.


The building will be inherently energy efficient through detailed design and documentation of equipment,
materials and in depth briefing on how the building and its spaces could be used. The design process also
looked to identify areas for possible heat gain and direct sunlight causing glare or comfort issues which
impact on learning and teaching effectiveness. Blades and screening have been designed to combat the
weather.


Environmental / Ecological Sustainability
Ecologically sensitive design methodologies have been fundamental in the design approach for this building.
It is an ideology which will be considered in every aspect of the design and construction methodology. This
intent will be carried through to the consultant / construction team.


Whilst it is considered this approach to be a balancing act between what is feasible and what is justified, by
setting it as fundamental in the design of the works, we can take simple practical steps during the design
process to reduce the impact this new development may have on the existing site ecology. This has required
detailed site and building orientation analysis to ensure that the new development maximises the benefits of
the existing natural site conditions including solar control, passive cooling / heating techniques, solar panels,
and water collective / reuse.




CONCLUSION
In conclusion, the new Performing Arts Building is appropriately sited, scaled and detailed to suit the
specialised function required and to co-locate the related learning disciplines within the most efficient and
flexible building form possible. The proposal is seen as being reflective and cohesive with the college’s
history as well as the established and future desired character and building scale in the locality.


The Performing Arts Building joined by the future Administration & Student Services Building will form the
foundation for the college to cater for future changes in educational delivery through state-of-the-art
performing arts facilities, design flexibility and aesthetic sensitivity, facilitating students to feel connected to
each other and engaged in school life. All this has been achieved whilst maintaining the local context and
history of the college.




Brennan Cooper
Director / Architect
Burling Brown Architects




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APPENDIX A
GOOD SHEPHERD LUTHERAN COLLEGE, NOOSAVILLE


AUSTRALIAN EDUCATION BENCHMARKING PRECEDENTS
AND FLOOR AREA TESTING

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The Southport School, QLD - 1200 Seat (Fixed seating)

 

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FACT SHEET
ARCHITECT: - Burling Brown.
COMPLETE: 2020
BUILDING AREA: 4000m2
MAIN AUDITORIUM
Seating capacity: 1200 seats Double
rake with crossover parterre - Fixed
Seating
Stage: 28m x 14.7m - 412m2
16m fixed proscenium
No Orchestra Pit or elevator
1.4m fixed apron
Stage Loft
Floor Areas
Main Auditorium: 1170m2
Event Space: 250m2
Medium Ensemble: 195m2
2no. Practice Rooms @ 75m2 each
12no. Studio/Breakout spaces: 20 -30m2 each

Associated Areas Within Building:
- Custom Designed Music Department
- Performance Spaces - Function Room
- Private Practice Rooms
- Rehearsal Rooms
- Tutoring Space
- Recording Spaces
- Change Rooms
- Amenities
- Foyer / Reception

The Southport School, QLD - 1200 Seat (Fixed seating)

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Matthew Flinders Anglican College, QLD - 600 Seat (Retractable)

 

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FACT SHEET
ARCHITECT: - Diamond Architects
COMPLETE: 2011
BUILDING AREA: 4957m2 (PAC only)
MAIN AUDITORIUM
Seating capacity: 600 seats
Single rake - RETRACTABLE SEATING
Stage: 11.7m x 26m -
12.4m - 20m adjustable proscenium
Orchestra Pit and elevator: 4m apron
Stage Loft - half height fly tower 11m height
Floor Areas
Main Auditorium: 468m2
BOH: Basement 2no dressing rooms/stores

Associated Areas Within Building:
The theatre and performance hall at Matthew Flinders Anglican College in Buderim,
Queensland is a multi-functional space serving both the College and the wider
community.

Designed by Diamond Architects, the building accommodates 600 for drama
performance, can be adapted to accommodate 1300 students for a school assembly
or seat 500 at tables for dining. The complex incorporates a main auditorium, a dance
studio, café and bar areas, uniform and bookshop, commercial kitchen and tuck shop.
The brief was for a very flexible space to suit competing demands within the College.
They adopted a flexible flat floor model for the theatre design. The auditorium and
stage are at the one level with an orchestra lift that can be also used at auditorium
level. Retractable seating units are stored on the rear wall to leave the whole
auditorium, orchestra pit and stage areas useable as a very large flat floor for exams,
dinners, cabaret and exhibitions.

Retractable seating is in two banks, the main seating bank and an additional seating
bank which is used on the lowered orchestra pit lift when it is not required for drama.
The proscenium opening is adjustable with a manually operated dual slider panel
system giving a proscenium opening variable from 12m up to 20m depending on
production styles.

The deep stage has very generous wing space and resilience for dance. Overhead
there is a system of lighting catwalks across the stage linked to wide side catwalks
which link to perimeter catwalks in the auditorium, which has two lighting catwalks the
full width of the auditorium




Matthew Flinders Anglican College, QLD - 600 Seat (Retractable)

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St Peter’s Lutheran College, Indooroopilly, QLD - 990 Seat (Fixed)

 

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FACT SHEET
ARCHITECT: Phillips Smith Conwell Architects
COMPLETE: 2013
BUILDING AREA: 4995m2
MAIN AUDITORIUM
Seating capacity: 990 seats
Stalls plus Balcony - FIXED SEATING
                                                                                   MAIN AUDITORIUM       MUSIC          DRAMA
Stage: 19 x 8m                                                                                           STUDIO         STUDIO

No orchestra Pit - raised stage features retractable
steps.
                                                                     OUTDOOR
                                                                   AMPHITHEATRE
Floor Areas
                                                                                  BLACK BOX
Main Auditorium: 650m2*                                                           STUDIO

Music Studio: 140m2
Drama Studio:140m2
Black Box Studio: 150m2
* not verified


Associated Areas Within Building:
- Music Studio
- Drama Studio
- Black Box Studio
- Outdoor Amphitheatre
- Change Rooms
- Amenities
- Storage
- Foyer / Reception
                                                       OUTDOOR AMPHITHEATRE                          BLACK BOX STUDIO




St Peter’s Lutheran College, Indooroopilly, QLD - 990 Seat (Fixed) - Phillips Smith Conwell

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Presbyterian Ladies’ College, Burwood, VIC - 550 Seat (Fixed)

 

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FACT SHEET
                                                                MUSIC               MUSIC
                                                                STUDIO 1            STUDIO 2



                                                                                               DRAMA
ARCHITECT: Cox Architecture                                                                    CLASSROOM
                                                                                               REHEARSAL
COMPLETE: 2017
BUILDING AREA: 6680m2
MAIN AUDITORIUM
Seating capacity: 550 seats
Single Rake - FIXED SEATING
Stage: 24 x 8.2m + 4m apron on elevator                                    MAIN AUDITORIUM
Orchestra Pit and elevator.

Floor Areas
                                                                                                PRACTICE
Main Auditorium: 380m2                                                                            ROOMS

Music Studio 1: 80m2
Music Studio 2:140m2
* not verified


Associated Areas Within Building:
- Music Studios
- Drama Classroom / Rehearsal
- Practice Rooms
- Offices
- Change Rooms
- Amenities
- Storage
- Foyer / Reception




Presbyterian Ladies’ College, Burwood, VIC - 550 Seat (Fixed)

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Huntingtower School, Mount Waverley, VIC - 750 Seat (Fixed)

 

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FACT SHEET
ARCHITECT: - Baldasso Cortese Architects
COMPLETE: 2018
BUILDING AREA: 2600m2*
MAIN AUDITORIUM
Seating capacity: 750 seats (stalls 500, balcony 250)         MAIN AUDITORIUM
Stalls plus Balcony - FIXED SEATING
Stage: 31 x 8.1m + 3m apron on elevator
Orchestra Pit and elevator.

Minimal Stage loft - no flying - only motorised LX bars
EWP high level access only
House curtain - manual

Floor Areas
Main Auditorium: 650m2
Large Green Room (Drama Room) - 110
2no dressing rooms (19m2 + 24m2)
* not verified


Associated Areas Within Building:
- Offices
- Change Rooms
- Amenities
- Storage
- Foyer / Reception




Huntingtower School, Mount Waverley, VIC - 750 Seat (Fixed)

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Knox Grammar School, Wahroonga, NSW - 750 Seat (Fixed)

 

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FACT SHEET
ARCHITECT: - NBRS Architecture
COMPLETE: 2019
BUILDING AREA: 8000m2
MAIN AUDITORIUM
Seating capacity: 750 seats (stalls 500, balcony 250)
Stalls plus Balcony - FIXED SEATING
Stage: 12 x 12m
Orchestra Pit and elevator. Adds 4.5m Apron on elevator
Minimal Stage loft - 12m
Drama Studio Performance Space - Seating capacity 165
                                                                        Drama Studio Performing
                                                                                         Space
Associated Areas Within Building:
- Dance Studio
- 2 x Music Rehearsal Rooms
- Soundproof private teaching rooms for one-on-one music tuition
- Home of the Years 7–12 Music and Drama Departments
- Specialist music and drama classrooms
- Choir rehearsal room and dedicated percussion space
- Professional-quality, soundproof recording studio and rock band lab
- Offices
- Change Rooms
- Amenities
- Storage
- Foyer / Reception




Knox Grammar School, Wahroonga, NSW - 750 Seat (Fixed)

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St Leonards College, Brighton, VIC - 600 Seat (Fixed)

 

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FACT SHEET
ARCHITECT: - ARM Architecture
COMPLETE: 2021
BUILDING AREA: 2300m2 (Leonardian Auditorium only)
MAIN AUDITORIUM
Seating capacity: 600 seats
Single rake - FIXED SEATING
Stage: 22m x 9.5m = 210m2
Orchestra Pit and elevator.
Stage Loft - half height fly tower

Floor Areas
Main Auditorium: 430m2
2 x classrooms double as dressing room overflow.
Minimal support or other teaching spaces in the PAC
as they have an existing Music Centre and drama hall




St Leonards College, Brighton, VIC - 600 Seat (Fixed) - ARM Architecture

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Mentone Grammar School, Mentone, VIC - 450 Seat (Fixed),

 

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FACT SHEET
ARCHITECT: - Kneeler Design
COMPLETE: 2017
BUILDING AREA: 3500m2 *
MAIN AUDITORIUM
Seating capacity: 450 seats - Thorold Theatre
Single rake - FIXED SEATING
Stage: 8.5m x 20m - 12m proscenium
Orchestra Pit and elevator: 3.5m apron Stage
Loft - half height fly tower
Floor Areas
Main Auditorium: 380m2
BOH: Workshop/dock/2no dressing rooms/
laundry/stores
* not verified

Associated Areas Within Building:
- Material Technology Workshop
- Hospitality Kitchen
- Music and Drama Classrooms
- Band / Recording Room
- Tutorial Rooms
- Computer Studio
- Black Box
- Student Learning Lounges
- Change Rooms
- Amenities
- Storage
- Foyer / Reception

Mentone Grammar School, Mentone, VIC - 450 Seat (Fixed),

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St Margaret's Episcopal School, California - 450 Seat (Fixed seating)

 

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                                                                                             Performing Arts Center
FACT SHEET                                                                                                1003
                                                ROOM ASSIGNMENTS                                                                       1036
                                               ___________________                                                                                1037
                                                                                                                                1007
ARCHITECT: - Bastien and Associates.                                                                                                              Dance
                                               1007 – Dauterive                 1032
COMPLETE: 2012                                                                 Choral
                                               1012 – Rice
BUILDING AREA: 4180m2 (PAC only)               1013 – Silverman
MAIN AUDITORIUM                                1014 – Wheeler                              1031
                                               1015 – Quinn; Raibon
Seating capacity: 450 seats                    1029 – Wie
                                                                                                                                          Dressing
                                                                                                                                           Rooms
Double rake with crossover parterre -          1030 – Cabajal                   1030
                                               1032 – Miles; Bravo             Concert
Fixed Seating                                  1037 – McCann; Mehling           Band
Stage: 26.5m x 9.5m - 252m2                    ___________________
12.5m fixed proscenium
                                               1003 – Costume Studio             1029                 P
Orchestra Pit and elevator: 4.1m apron         1017 – Concessions              Orchestra              P                                  Guest
Stage Loft - half height fly tower 12m         1031 – Audio-Visual                                                                     Bathroom
                                                                                                      P           Theater
height (estimated)                                    Control Room
                                               1036 – Green Room                     P
Floor Areas                                      P - Practice Rooms      Student     P
                                                                                                  P
Main Auditorium: 420m2                                                  Bathroom             P
                                                                                     P
Black Box: 200m2                                     - Student Access                             1017                                    McGregor
                                                                                             P
Choral: 150m2 Concert                                                                P                                                      Family
band: 140m2 Orchestra:                                                                                                                     Theater
                                                                        1012       1014                            Foyer
100m2 Dance Studio:                                                                     1015
                                                                                             P
                                                                               1013
110m2
Associated Areas Within Building:                                                                                                                         Arts

- 3 Music Teaching Rooms                                                            WILL CALL                    EVENT ACCESS

- Professional Dance Studio
- 11 x Private Practice Rooms
- Sound & Video Production Studio
- 450 Seat Proscenium-Style Theatre
- Intimate, Black Box Style 150 Seat Theatre
- Change Rooms
- Amenities
- Foyer / Reception
St Margaret’s Episcopal School, California - 450 Seat (Fixed seating)