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

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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