Client: Shire of Augusta Margaret River

Location: 51 Wallcliffe Road, Margaret River

Project Status: Completed in 2019

The Shire of Augusta Margaret River’s new Cultural Centre is aimed at bringing together as many of the cultural activities as possible.

The new facility includes:

• 450 seat theatre/auditorium designed for theatre, conferencing and general performance;

• 150 seat multipurpose space and cinema with greenrooms;

• 400 seat function area with associated kitchen/catering facilities;

• an indoor art gallery and exhibition space;

• an outdoor courtyard multipurpose space;

• new bar and prefunction spaces; and

• amphitheatre and new sound/performance shell.

The new facility is immediately adjacent to the Shire’s Administration building with a new amphitheatre and soundshell in the centre inviting impromptu and formal performances.
Immediately adjacent is the recreation centre and this building’s design acts as a transitional element between this and the administration building.

Aesthetically the building design is highly visible and transparent inviting the visitor into the gallery spaces connecting inside and out. The selected materials are complementary to the Shire’s administration centre whilst maintaining its own unique identity. The extensive use of class 1 off the form exposed concrete with polished concrete floors provides both a unique aesthetic counterpoint with the high quality timbers and artworks whilst being robust and very low maintenance.

The building has benchmarked 4 star Green star design principles incorporating a sustainable design ethos in respect of energy management both passively and actively. Existing timber from the previous squash courts and upper balcony areas were recycled into the new building. The old bricks from the demolished previous centre were reused as the infill for the gabion walls.