The government of Queensland has selected a fully Australian shortlist for a US$110m redesign of the Queensland Performing Arts Centre in Brisbane’s South Bank district.
The five finalists are:
- Blight Rayner Architecture
- Cox Architecture
- M3 Architecture and ARM Architecture
- Richard Kirk Architects
- Wilson Architects
In a press release, the Queensland government said the current centre was running at full capacity, and the extension would provide a 1,500-capacity theatre, offering space for an extra 300,000 visitors a year.
Annastacia Palaszczuk, the premier of Queensland, commented: "This is the biggest investment in arts infrastructure since the Gallery of Modern Art, and will further boost our state’s cultural vibrancy and support and showcase our local arts sector.
"The theatre will ensure our state’s four home companies, including Queensland Ballet, Queensland Symphony Orchestra, Opera Queensland and Queensland Theatre, can continue to grow and will enable them to perform in front of audiences that will be double their usual size."
The development of the Heritage Listed site will be monitored by a Conservation Management Plan.
Around 100 jobs will be created during the construction process.
The winning design team will be announced later this year.
Images: The Queensland Performing Arts Centre as it currently stands (Queensland Performing Arts Centre)
